This crowd in Denver for the Lakers game is really, really angry. So much for me thinking that people here were a bunch of pot-smoking hippies.

New 'North & South' episode with Dylan Hernández -- SF/LA/Harbaugh 1st-round analysis, what next for the Warriors and Lakers & their aging legends and Dylan's mandatory Ohtani update.
-Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5gaNbb…

-Apple:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nor…

Columnist Dylan Hernández breaks it down: #Chargers draft of Joe Alt fits Jim Harbaugh's gritty philosophy
latimes.com/sports/charger…

Column: Darvin Ham is on the hot seat…his Lakers are on the verge of another playoff disaster. latimes.com/sports/lakers/…

.Brad Turner on the Clippers’ efforts to slow down Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving: latimes.com/sports/clipper…

Kawhi Leonard is playing tonight, Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue said.

Kawhi Leonard is out today.

What in the world will we talk about? Oh, right—everything! If you’re coming to the LA Times Festival of Books this weekend, swing by this great panel on Saturday. We’ll be talking about how to write great sports narratives in 2024—a time when we need them more than ever. #bookfest

Yoshiki playing the piano in center field. Older Japanese reporters are telling me this is a big deal.

Mr. Irrelevant comes up big for the Padres. David Vassegh with the assist.

Captain Hook is coming for him in 5, 4, 3 …

The attorney for Ippei Mizuhara issued a brief statement this afternoon on behalf of the ex-interpreter for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara made his first court appearance today after being charged with bank fraud for allegedly stealing $16 million from Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani gave this statement (in Japanese) about the charges announced against Ippei Mizuhara:

“I’m very grateful for the Department of Justice’s investigation. For me personally, this marks a break from this, and I’d like to focus on baseball.”
latimes.com/sports/dodgers…

Extra 'North & South' episode with Dylan Hernández -- has Shohei Ohtani been exonerated by the feds? Wow, that was fast.

Also thoughts on O.J. Simpson.

-Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/0lG8yhVbm…

-Apple:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nor…

.Nathan Fenno with details of the federal criminal complaint filed against Ippei Mizuhara: