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That's one of a few team names that appear to be on the short list for the Sacramento Kings, should they decide to pack up and move to SoCal. An attorney for the Maloofs, it emerged today, has filed trademark registrations for Anaheim Royals, Anaheim Royals of Southern California, Orange County Royals and Los Angeles Royals. To which my response is: can we leave Los Angeles out of this, please?
I'm fine with the "Royals" part. The Sacramento Kings were once the Kansas City Royals (and before that the Cincinnati Royals), so there's a sense here of reconnection with the past. But for those unfamiliar with Southern California geography: Anaheim is not Los Angeles. It's not part of either the city or county of Los Angeles. Orange County residents, in my experience, don't like people accusing them of being Angelenos, and as an Angeleno myself, I can confirm that we too prefer the distinction to remain clear. L.A. has enough problems without being associated with the Maloofs' crappy team.
In other news from a Lakers practice day....
Kobe Bryant - did not practice with the team today, spending the time instead with the training staff, working on his injured ankle. He will, of course, play against Minnesota on Friday.
Pau Gasol - spent yesterday (which the Lakers had off) out at Indian Wells watching Rafael Nadal play tennis.
Speaking of Spanish Things - Lamar Odom and his wife Khloe had lunch yesterday at Café Madrid in West Hollywood. This website calls them "Lunch Lovers," but come on: who doesn't love lunch?
Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown - are appearing on something called "Minute to Win It" tonight. I don't know what that is, but presumably one of you nerds will tell me.
Follow Dex on Twitter @dexterfishmore.