Arrive Early, Leave Late

Host Beto Duran checks in with new Sports & Culture columnist LZ Granderson, as LZ makes his Arrive Early, Leave Late debut. Promising to use the platform to take subscribers beyond the box score, LZ dives right in to discuss the halftime show, his role at the LA Times, and what impact the Big Game will have on the Rams and Los Angeles. Then Tania Ganguli, Lakers beat writer, updates Beto with the discussion around Anthony Davis' announcement. Tania provides the dynamics at play as the February 7th NBA trade deadline approaches. Are the Lakers in the driver's seat for AD right now? Tania fills us in on that story, the injuries to the Lakers, and gives us a glimpse into how all of this impacts coach Luke Walton.

Continuing our coverage as we approach Super Bowl LIII, host Beto Duran welcomes Dylan Hernandez who has arrived early in Atlanta. Dylan reports on what the scene is like, what he considers the Rams strengths and weaknesses, and offers his prediction on the final score. Will his prediction line up with the other journalists? Listen to find out. Dylan also discusses his recent column on the Dodgers' offseason activity and weighs in on Anthony Davis' announcement to not re-sign with New Orleans. How would Dodger President and Lakers GM Dylan Hernandez proceed? Join our Tuesday podcast and hear it all.

Host Beto Duran kicks off our Super Bowl LIII Preview Week with guest Sam Farmer. Sam's first Super Bowl was memorable, his second is quite the tale, and Sam covers that history and leads us into his take on this year's Rams-Patriots matchup. Who does Sam like, what does he think it will take to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy? Sam and Beto cover all that plus some great stories from Sam covering previous Super Bowls.

Host Beto Duran welcomes BIll Plaschke and Eric Sondheimer to discuss 2 major stories in Los Angeles this week. First, Plaschke discusses Los Angeles sending their first team to the Super Bowl in 35 years. Bill takes you along for his journey covering the Rams, discuss his feelings on the Patriots, and what to expect in the big game. Who does Bill Plaschke think will win the Super Bowl? Hear his emphatic answer. The LAUSD/UTLA Strike has had a tremendous impact on the entire local education system and residents. We focus on the impact on high school sports with High School Prep Reporter, Eric Sondheimer. How did scheduled games, college recruiting, coaches on strike, and the upcoming playoffs all get affected by the strike? Eric and Beto discuss all of the ramifications and ripple effects.

Host Beto Duran welcomes Lance Pugmire and Dylan Hernandez to this week's podcast. Lance was able to visit Manny Pacquiao for a breakfast interview and we have the one-on-one interview. Does Manny want to run for President of the Phillipines? Is he thinking about a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.? Lance finds out the answers to these questions and more as Manny Pacquiao tunes up for his January 19th boxing match with Adrien Broner in Las Vegas. Dylan Hernandez has some opinions on the fight, and also shares his feelings on the state of the Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers. The Rams are gearing up for the NFC Championship, will a win cement their status as LA's football team? Do they need to win the Super Bowl to achieve that? Is it even possible? The Lakers are dealing with an injury to star player LeBron James. What are we learning from this injury? The Dodgers are wrapping up their off-season, Spring Training starts in 4 weeks. Are the Dodgers done making moves? Dylan breaks down all of these LA sports scenarios with Beto.

Host Beto Duran discusses the NFL Divisional Playoffs, which features both Los Angeles teams, the Rams and the Chargers. Gary Klein joins to discuss the Rams, bringing us up to date with their progress coming off their bye week as they get ready to host the Dallas Cowboys. How does Gary feel about their chances? The Chargers head east to face the New England Patriots as Chargers' beat writer Jeff Miller reviews key players on their roster, and assesses their chances.

Host Beto Duran chats with Bill Plaschke about his one on one interview with Julio Cesar Chavez, Sam Farmer about his visit to Israel with a group of NFL Hall of Famers, and Brady McCollough on his journey to Russia. These journalists share amazing tales that may have never been printed but are definitely worth sharing.

Brad "BT" Turner joins host Beto Duran to reflect on his career covering the NBA. Stories include how he started covering Magic and the Lakers during Showtime, his recent connection to LeBron James, and recalling the infamous Rick Fox-Doug Christie donnybrook during the Shaq and Kobe era of the Lakers.

Gary Klein joins host Beto Duran to cover his amazing career. Starting out in minor league baseball to a low level job at a regional edition of the LA Times to covering the Los Angeles Rams, Gary takes us on a journey of perspective, insight, and wisdom that few journalists can share. What was it like covering Pete Carroll at USC and what is it like covering Sean McVay now? Gary provides his answers on this episode.

Andrew Greif joins host Beto Duran to discuss Andrew's interview with LA Clippers' Tobias Harris, which is featured on this episode. Harris was recently named Western Conference Player of the Month, beating out LeBron, KD, Westbrook, Harden, The Brow, and many others in a stacked NBA West. So how does Tobias Harris (and the LA Clippers) get overlooked? Andrew and Beto seek to answer this question and discuss other overlooked sports personalities. Who else does Andrew Greif think is overlooked? It is all covered in this latest episode.

Sam Farmer and Dylan Hernandez join Beto Duran to discuss a wide range of topics. Sam discusses the two LA NFL teams hitting their strides simultaneously. Can there be an all-Los Angeles Super Bowl? Sam and Beto discuss the likelihood. Dylan stops by to discuss how Japanese baseball and sports journalism varies from the US. Also discussed are the Rams and Dylan shares a great Wilder-Fury viewing story.

Beto Duran is joined by Lance Pugmire, the LA Times combat sports journalist, and currently the only full-time combat sports newspaper journalist in the US. Lance dives deeply into the world of boxing with a perspective very few, if anyone, can provide and he pairs well with the passionate boxing fanbase that exists in Southern California. Beto and Lance discuss the upcoming major heavyweight bout at STAPLES Center this weekend between Tyson Fury and Deontay WIlder, mixed martial arts, and a host of other combat sports topics.

Bill Plaschke and Dan Woike join Beto Duran as Bill discusses USC's end of season and how they move forward. Is BIll still the vocal supporter of Clay Helton as he was previously? Also, BIll discusses his column on Maria Hartmark released on Thanksgiving, and the contrast of these two stories in his role as a journalist and as a human. Dan covered the Clippers for many years and recently visited Blake Griffin in Detroit. Dan's recent travels through the NBA and his featured Best Game Ever are discussed too.

Helene Elliott and Andrew Greif talk with host Beto Duran on this newest episode. Helene reflects on her journey as a pioneering journalist, through several Olympics - starting with the Miracle on Ice in 1980, covering hockey, and many other sports. Andrew discusses his first year as the Clippers beat writer and their early season success.

Tania Ganguli and Kevin Baxter join host Beto Duran to discuss Tania’s interview with JaVale McGee, the Los Angeles Lakers starting center, as they discuss JaVale's passions when he’s not playing, who Pierre is, life growing up, and much more. Kevin Baxter covers soccer for the LA Times and recently traveled down to Culiacán, Mexico to check out world-renowned soccer legend Diego Maradona, who is currently coaching a Second Division soccer team in a rural part of Mexico. Both reporters discuss two of the more colorful characters in the world of sports, bringing you up close to these fascinating athletes.