College Sports |
Map: See where the major fires are burning in Los Angeles County

January 13, 2025 at 10:32 am

Columnist

Jim Alexander

Jim Alexander is an Inland Empire native who started with his hometown newspaper, The Press-Enterprise, longer ago than he cares to admit. He's been a sports columnist off and on since 1992, and a full-time columnist since 2010. Yes, he's opinionated, but no, that's not the only club in his bag. He's covered every major league and major sports beat in Southern California over the years, so not much surprises him any more. (And he and Justin Turner have this in common: Both attended Cal State Fullerton. Jim has no plans to replicate Turner's beard.)

Coach Cori Close and the Bruins, whose Sunday home game against Northwestern was postponed, try to find normalcy amid the wildfire horrors

College Sports |
Alexander: No. 1 UCLA women find the gym as a refuge

January 11, 2025 at 3:52 p.m.

Coach Cori Close and the Bruins, whose Sunday home game against Northwestern was postponed, try to find normalcy amid the wildfire horrors

Even in a region where wildfires are frequent, the scope of devastation in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena is as unprecedented as it is heartbreaking.

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Sports |
Alexander: Notes from a bizarre, scary week in L.A.

January 10, 2025 at 6:09 p.m.

Even in a region where wildfires are frequent, the scope of devastation in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena is as unprecedented as it is heartbreaking.

From 1969 through 1977, Minnesota and the weather had their way with the Rams, frustratingly so and no matter where the four postseason games were played.

Los Angeles Rams |
Alexander: Rams’ playoff history with Vikings was brutal

January 9, 2025 at 5:35 p.m.

From 1969 through 1977, Minnesota and the weather had their way with the Rams, frustratingly so and no matter where the four postseason games were played.

McVay’s own coaching tree has become a popular spot for other NFL teams to harvest head coaches, partly because he pays forward the opportunities and preparation he was provided as an assistant.

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Los Angeles Rams |
Alexander: Rams’ Sean McVay will match wits with former assistant in Vikings’ O’Connell

January 6, 2025 at 10:04 p.m.

McVay’s own coaching tree has become a popular spot for other NFL teams to harvest head coaches, partly because he pays forward the opportunities and preparation he was provided as...

“I don’t want to be a part of a good team. I want to be a part of a great team,” the rookie coach says, and following his instincts has the team trending in the right direction.

Lakers |
Alexander: Lakers coach JJ Redick showing he’s not afraid to be blunt

January 4, 2025 at 2:37 p.m.

“I don’t want to be a part of a good team. I want to be a part of a great team,” the rookie coach says, and following his instincts has...

The Rams’ regular-season finale against Seahawks could have been critical, but quarterback Matthew Stafford (among others?) will instead be watching from the sidelines

Sports |
Alexander: The ‘buyer beware’ theory applies to game tickets, too

January 3, 2025 at 9:59 a.m.

The Rams’ regular-season finale against Seahawks could have been critical, but quarterback Matthew Stafford (among others?) will instead be watching from the sidelines

In this region, unlike others, team owners understand that stadiums and arenas aren’t publicly funded projects, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has delivered.

Clippers |
Alexander: Intuit Dome is unique, yet follows an LA tradition

December 31, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.

In this region, unlike others, team owners understand that stadiums and arenas aren’t publicly funded projects, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has delivered.

From the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, to JuJu Watkins and women’s basketball thrillers, a look back a 2024 sports year in Los Angeles.

Sports |
Alexander: 10 sports stories that mattered in 2024

December 31, 2024 at 11:01 a.m.

From the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, to JuJu Watkins and women’s basketball thrillers, a look back a 2024 sports year in Los Angeles.

Saturday night's victory over Arizona is one more step in a story of redemption.

Los Angeles Rams |
Alexander: Rams have continued to plug away, putting them in a good spot

December 29, 2024 at 9:54 a.m.

Saturday night's victory over Arizona is one more step in a story of redemption.

While their injured star inches closer to a return, the Clippers are playing stingy defense and finding enough offense, just as they did against a depleted Warriors squad on Friday.

Sports |
Alexander: Clippers successfully bide time while waiting for Kawhi

December 28, 2024 at 9:01 a.m.

While their injured star inches closer to a return, the Clippers are playing stingy defense and finding enough offense, just as they did against a depleted Warriors squad on Friday.