This is the December 5, 2012 news archive. View today's LA Sports news and rumors.

LA Sports News and Rumors

Sources: Los Angeles Lakers rebuffing trade inquiries for Pau Gasol Marc Stein, ESPN.com The Los Angeles Lakers, largely at the behest of general manager Mitch Kupchak, have rebuffed trade inquiries from at least two teams for Pau Gasol, according to sources with knowledge of the Lakers' thinking.
	Scioscia looks to fill void left by Torii Dec 5, 2012 Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com Mike Scioscia is comfortable with the Angels' outfield alignment despite Torii Hunter's free-agent departure, but replacing the veteran in the No. 2 spot in the lineup is a tall task.
	Source: Blanton to Angels for two years, $15M Dec 5, 2012 Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with starter Joe Blanton and a multiyear deal with reliever Sean Burnett on Wednesday.
	Source: Blanton, Angels reach 2-year, $15M deal Dec 5, 2012 CNNSI.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A person familiar with the negotiations says the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with right-hander Joe Blanton.
	Daily Dime: Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers a lesson in NBA business Dec 5, 2012 J.A. Adande, ESPN.com J.A. Adande examines the Clippers' win over the Mavericks
	Kobe Bryant becomes the youngest ever to reach 30,000 career points (VIDEO) Dec 5, 2012 Eric Freeman, yahoo.com Los Angeles Lakers mega-star Kobe Bryant now has another NBA record to his name. With 1:17 left in the first half of Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets, Kobe cut through the lane and scored over center Robin Lopez to score the 30,000…
	Source: Angels add pitchers Blanton, Burnett Dec 5, 2012 Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with starter Joe Blanton and a multiyear deal with reliever Sean Burnett on Wednesday.
	Dodgers' pursuit of pitching going slowly Dec 5, 2012 Ken Gurnick, MLB.com A tight-lipped Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he spoke Wednesday to Casey Close, agent for top free-agent target Zack Greinke, but wouldn't say if he made an offer, adding that he didn't have "any idea" when a Greinke deal might occ…
	Done Deals: Ben Revere trade to Philly caps winter meetings activity Dec 3, 2012 David Brown, yahoo.com We kept a running list of trades and signings that went down during the winter meetings. Thanks for reading and come back for more signings and trades as the offseason continues! Thursday Twins send Ben Revere to Phillies for Vance Worley, Trevor May Fo…
	Lakers' Blake undergoes abdominal surgery Dec 5, 2012 nba.com Lakers guard Steve Blake underwent successful surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle on Wednesday.
	Lakers' Blake has surgery, will miss 6-8 weeks Dec 5, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Lakers guard Steve Blake underwent surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle on Wednesday.
	Source: Angels agree to deal with LHP Burnett Dec 5, 2012 Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett has reached an agreement on a multiyear contract with the Los Angeles Angels, pending a physical exam, a source said.
	Angels ink lefty reliever Burnett to two-year deal Dec 5, 2012 Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com The Angels finalized their bullpen search on Wednesday, signing left-handed reliever Sean Burnett to a two-year deal with a club option, a source told MLB.com.
	Lamar Odom on the lockout year spent in Dallas: ‘Basketball just wasn’t there for me at that time’ Dec 5, 2012 Kelly Dwyer, yahoo.com Lamar Odom won't have to visit Dallas on Wednesday night, he won't be faced with the indignity of playing his former team in Texas until late March, but he and his Clippers will face the Mavericks in Los Angeles on Wednesday and the press has already st…
	5-on-5: Nuggets-Hawks, Mavs-Clippers Dec 5, 2012 ESPN.com, ESPN.com 5-on-5: Breaking down the four teams heading into ESPN's doubleheader
	One Of The Clippers’ Best Players Is Holding Them Back Dec 5, 2012 Spencer Lund, dimemag.com Frontcourt players are constantly trying to expand their game and their range. It’s part of becoming a well-rounded basketball player, but it shouldn’t come at the detriment of what’s made someone successful. While Blake Griffin‘s outside shot has…
	Rockets Announcer Rubs It In After Houston Win: "The Lakers Have Just Pooped Their Big-Boy Pants!" Dec 5, 2012 Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com Pau Gasol is rapidly falling out of favor in L.A. On Sunday, for the second time in a week, Gasol was benched for the last few minutes of the game, and he's growing frustrated. Kobe Bryant had a message for him: More »
	Dwight Howard deflects blame from his free-throw shooting after Lakers loss (VIDEO) Dec 5, 2012 Eric Freeman, yahoo.com The Los Angeles Lakers have lost five of their last seven games, which means they're currently in the midst of their 47th crisis of the still-young season. Their latest defeat, a 107-105 road loss to the Houston Rockets, stung quite sharply. Leading by …
	Tom Verducci: Choice for analytical Greinke down to two: Dodgers or Rangers Dec 5, 2012 CNNSI.com Zack Greinke is the only true No. 1 starter on the market and there are only two teams still in the running for his services. Tom Verducci weighs the merits of the Dodgers and Rangers.
	Rockets erase 13-point deficit, rally past Lakers Dec 5, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Toney Douglas had a season-high 22 points and Greg Smith added a career-best 21 to help the Houston Rockets overcome a tough outing by James Harden and rally for a 107-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
	Source: Haren, Nats close to 1-year, $13M deal Dec 5, 2012 CNNSI.com ASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Free agent pitcher Dan Haren and the Washington Nationals are close to completing a one-year deal for $13 million, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press.