TED SOBEL SPORTS AUDIO VAULT: Your Inside Access to TOUCHING GREATNESS

What a nice and refreshing introductory newsconference it was in Clipper-land with Chris Paul moving to L.A. in a style that Lebron James could certainly learn from. I’ve only dealt with Paul a few times previously (including when he was with the U.S. Olympic team practicing in Las Vegas before leaving for China), and he impressed me even more when getting a chance to look directly into his eyes and see the fire and sincerity of the man. And most importantly how truly humble he is and how he appreciates what he does for a living (similar to his new teammate Blake Griffin).

First I asked CP3 during the newser if he had been dreaming about turning some of his lob passes into mystifying Griffin and DeAndre Jordan Hollywood style dunks? And then he complimented me for asking about his ‘totally healthy’ knees after some off-season rehab. He also proved to be quick-witted when immediately asking if I wanted to play him 1on1 to prove his knees are ok? Unfortunately I would too much need to prove that my knees, lungs, legs, and most other body parts are still attached and working! 😉

I then briefly spoke with Paul 1on1 and he again started by complimenting my question which few others would ever do. I also got reactions from very happy coach Vinny Del Negro (who admitted to me that he expected to get Paul in a trade), and his V.P. of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey who’s made some fantastic deals to put this team on the map for the first time in many moons.

It seems surreal that many are now asking if the Clippers are better than the Lakers…but I guess that’s what happens when CP3 was supposed to be in purple and gold before the Commish put the kybosh on that deal before sending him Clipper Nation…and the amazing thing is that Paul seems actually ecstatic about it!…

Chris Paul with Ted Sobel during his newser:

Chris Paul with Ted Sobel 1on1:

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro with Ted Sobel:

Clippers V.P. Neil Olshey with Ted Sobel:

Let me stress that it’s not easy for any local reporter (and certainly not two time zones away) to get a phone interview with possibly the best quarterback in the NFL. And you have no idea the time demands that burdens these guys with media constantly trying to get something from them on an almost daily basis. So it’s always special to get to speak with Cal product Aaron Rodgers who I established a little rapport with during his early days as Brett Favre’s backup in Green Bay.

It all started when I walked up to his locker (when few gave him any attention those days) while covering a game in San Diego, introducing myself as an L.A. reporter who happened to (at the time) work for the Dodgers flagship radio station KFWB. His eyes lit up and I remember him screaming ‘Yeah, Dodgers Baby’! Little did I know that Aaron had struck up a friendship with the Dodgers 3rd base coach who had introduced him to many of the players at Vero Beach and he became a solid Dodger Blue fan (not bad for a guy from Northern Cali).

We kept up our friendly working relationship throughout the following years as he’d come on with me as my baseball playoffs analyst along with of course tidbits on what was happening with his Packers while he rode the bench waiting for his chance to follow a legend.

Well did he take advantage of that as we all know, not only as the reigning Super Bowl MVP but this time sitting at 13-0 and going for the first perfect 19-0 season. Or will Rodgers actually play much at all in the final games should Green Bay clinch home field thoughout the NFL playoffs with a win on Sunday in Kansas City or a Monday night home loss by San Francisco against the possibly Ben-less Steelers?

We cover all of that and a whole lot more in our chat including a few So Cal related thoughts on the Lakers losing out to the Commish in the Chris Paul dealings, who he’d like to see as the next Dodgers owner, concussion issues in sports, how Tebow-mania is taking attention away from Green Bay, and of course plenty of Packers insight.

Last season I got the first phone interview from Aaron after he beat the Bears on his way to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas where I was fortunate to work the winning locker room. And maybe (if I’m extremely lucky) we can repeat similar this season and how amazing would that be if the Pack was 18-0 at the time? Ironically I also worked the Super Giants winning locker room after they stunned the almost perfect Patriots in Arizona so maybe there’s a little reverse karma working here—and then again, maybe not? 🙂

Enjoy what’s currently on the mind of #12 from an L.A perspective-sort of…and good luck Aaron in your pursuit of history and a chance to finally shut up the arrogant 1972 17-0 Dolphins…

Aaron Rodgers with Ted Sobel:

I wrote it here first the day that UCLA fired coach Rick Neuheisel. Former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora was my choice to replace Rick but I really never expected to hear his name come up in the process. Then a few days ago a report surfaced that Mora was being strongly considered and I thought, Wow…what a genius Bruins A.D. Dan Guerrero turned out to be!

Well Mora and his family were introduced to us media types in the J.D. Morgan Center on campus and now it’s up to Coach Jim to make Guerrero and I look good and not forever live that decision down. I’ve discussed the fact with several folk that a true WOW factor hire with any available coach was not in site as Vince Lombardi and Bear Bryant are long gone and no other man seemed perfect for the situation in Westwood. So why not Mora, who at the age of 50 seems and acts younger with the enthusiasm that I believe is more condusive to the college game than the NFL. (sort of Pete Carroll-like but I hate to compare…even though I will anyway!)
They were both heavily pro and not college raised in their professional coaching and Pete’s style worked like no others at USC, so why not Jim in Westwood?

I thought the Bruin faithful would not only like to hear from Coach Mora and new boss Guerrero, but also Mrs. Shannon Mora who will give you an insight to the man she married 3 decades ago.
And after speaking with Shannon, I almost might’ve chosen her over her husband with a refreshing down to earth enthusiastic charm, although I have no idea about her X’s and O’s so we’ll stick with Jim (for now!).

And I still say that bringing in the elder Jim Mora as an assistant coach or iconic recruiter would be a great idea for the new Bruin family. Could you imagine him trying to close a recruit with ‘PLAYOFFS?…Don’t talk about playoffs, let’s talk about Bowl games as in the Rose Bowl or even BCS (which UCLA isn’t even close to sniffing at this point).

Good Luck to the Moras and welcome back to So-Cal where Jim was born and now where he gets to make a mark that could put him into UCLA lore or just as a footnote to the post Neuheisel era…

Jim Mora responds to Ted Sobel question BCS or PLAYOFFS?:

Jim Mora post-newser with Ted Sobel:

Dan Guerrero with Ted Sobel:

Mrs. Shannon Mora with Ted Sobel:

It was a solid turnout at Clippers media day yesterday with a cloud hovering over the franchise as to would they or not still have a shot at trading for New Orleans all-star guard Chris Paul. Well that cloud opened up while I was putting this post together for you as the Clips just agreed to send shooting guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, small forward Al-Farouq Aminu and their unprotected 2012 first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets for Paul and a pair of 2015 second-round picks. And the 2012 pick is tied to the performance of the Minnesota Timberwolves which could become the No. 1 overall selection.

There was no doubt that the Clippers had the deepest roster in franchise history before the trade and now they likely have the best chance at making a serious run not only for a playoff spot but to move deeper into the post-season then they’d ever been before. I did several one and ones for you including star Blake Griffin, who has to be on cloud 9 on the thoughts of receiving some classic alley-oop passes from CP3 now a reality and what a combo they will make. When I asked Clippers legendary announcer Ralph Lawler about that combo playing togehter, he not only compared them to Stockton-Malone but with even more potential. And let’s not forget about a Paul to Jordan dunk fest which will shoot fans out of their seats as if someone just lit a firecracker under them!

Enjoy your newest and greatest Clippers squad and remember that all of their games can be heard on my station KFWB Newstalk 980 and the first time since the Larry Brown era there’s truly something to be excited about with this team…

Blake Griffin with Ted Sobel:

Clippers V.P of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey with Ted Sobel:

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro with Ted Sobel:

Traded Clippers guard Eric Gordon with Ted Sobel:

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan with Ted Sobel:

Clippers guard Mo Williams with Ted Sobel:

Clippers forward Brian Cook with Ted Sobel:

Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler with Ted Sobel:

Bernie Nicholls once scored 70 goals for the Kings with Wayne Gretzky setting him up for many of them. And oh how the Kings could use Bernie’s scoring now, having dropped their 4th straight tonight 2-1 against the Dallas Stars. L.A. has scored just 6 goals in those 4 losses and ‘ol #9 was in the house to watch it on his special Kings legends night.

Bernie was kind enough to join me for a one on one chat between the 2nd and 3rd periods to recall the good old days from his rookie season to being one of the main reasons that the N.Y. Rangers ended their 54 year Stanley Cup curse.

Bernie Nicholls with Ted Sobel:

Kings coach Terry Murray with Ted Sobel et al:

Kings captain Dustin Brown with Ted Sobel:

Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi with Ted Sobel:

How big is it that the Angels signed Albert Pujols away from St. Louis? Think of Babe Ruth or Ted Williams leaving their deeply-rooted homes for a 10 year mega million dollar deal in Orange County while still in their primes…that’s how big it is!

When his career is done, Pujols will likely be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest hitters ever and now Angels fans can watch him on a nightly basis just like the Cardinals faithful have done for the past 11 years.

And the outdoor public newsconference in front of Angels Stadium on Saturday was more than most could imagine including newcomers Pujols and C.J. Wilson. I drove up 10 minutes before the televised ceremonies were to begin and was truly stunned at how many people showed up for this thing. It looked like a playoff game was about to take place, something that the newest free agents better help produce for this team or else! Or else what, I don’t know…but let’s just say the inner pressure to win bigtime has already begun in Anaheim. Not one of them would do their best Lebron by promising…NOT One, NOT Two, NOT Three. Actually NOT anything was promised but a deeply talented team that will be fun to watch and then we’ll see what happens?).

I literally had to battle my way through several hundred Halos fans just to squeeze past the ropes so I could do my job and get these interviews for your listening ears. My favorite part of the day was seeing that Torii Hunter had made it here from his real home in Texas, as he always lights up a room like a Vegas neon sign. I got his reaction to this special occasion along with team ace Jered Weaver, manager Mike Scioscia, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher (who compared signing Pujols to welcoming ‘the Bambino’ himself into an Angels uni).

Soon after Wilson was brought into the Diamond Club for our one on one and it was fun to reaquaint ourselves after recently meeting him post game two of the World Series in St. Louis when he gave me his feelings on being the pride of Newport Beach in the spotlight. And then it was Pujols turn to finally join his family for lunch just after giving me a few minutes to welcome him to the neighborhood and get some comments on the crazyness of the past few days.

Folks, this is the biggest local acquisition since Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Kings so let’s enjoy this time! And remember that every other baseball town is envious of our situation and the next few years could bring us memories that will last forever. I’m sure even ‘The Babe’ would’ve loved to be a part of this one!…

Albert Pujols with Ted Sobel:

C.J. Wilson with Ted Sobel:

Mike Scioscia with Ted Sobel:

Torii Hunter with Ted Sobel:

Jered Weaver with Ted Sobel:

Mickey Hatcher with Ted Sobel: