The stars come to Hollywood. The great athletes seem to head for Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George add to a roster of superstars who call LA home.
18. Paul George
Paul George has yet to play in LA. However, he made major headlines when he was traded to the Clippers as they signed Kawhi Leonard. Quite the 1-2 wallop.
17. Drew Doughty
The Los Angeles Kings have struggled of late. Don’t blame defenseman Drew Doughty, who has been a mainstay of the backline since being selected second overall in 2008. Anyone who has two Stanley Cup rings along with numerous gold medals for representing Canada in international play belongs.
16. Walker Buehler
Might be a wee bit early to have Walker Buehler on the list. However, when you have gone 17-6 with a 3.16 ERA in a bit more than two seasons, it shows you belong. Buehler has struck out 276 batters in 250 innings.
15. Justin Turner
Justin Turner has become a vital part of the Dodgers in his five-plus years in LA. He has hit 94 home runs and has a .303 average as a Dodger. He made the All-Star team in 2017 and was the NLCS MVP that season. As important is the leadership he brings to the clubhouse and dugout.
14. Lou Williams
An offensive force, Lou Williams earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors for the third time this season. The perfect player to ignite a team when called upon to come off the bench.
13. Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers moved to Los Angeles with the Chargers. The majority of his stats were compiled in San Diego, but he’s an Angelino now as the Chargers moved “north.” No Super Bowl rings or appearances but the first-round pick of the New York Giants in 2004 is going to find a home in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
12. Jared Goff
One could debate why Goff is ahead of Philip Rivers on the list. However, he made it to the Super Bowl while the Chargers’ QB has not. Goff has been led the Rams’ resurgence after the arrival of Sean McVay, who earns a higher spot on the ranking.
11. Todd Gurley
Despite concerns about his knee, Todd Gurley belongs on this list. The former Georgia star has rushed for 4547 yards in four seasons with the Rams. He has 1,883 yards receiving and has scored 81 TDs overall.
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
An elite soccer player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays for the LA Galaxy in MLS. In his first season with the Galaxy, he became one of three players in league history with 20-plus goals and 10-plus assists in a season. In September, he became one of three active players in world soccer with 500 or more goals.
9. Clayton Kershaw
The Dodgers have a history of great lefties — Sandy Koufax and Fernando Valenzuela to name two. Clayton Kershaw is a perennial All-Star, has led the NL in wins three times, led the league in strikeouts three times and ERA five times. He was the NL MVP in 2014. His overall mark is 160-71. Would have been higher on the list a couple years ago.
8. Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers won an NBA championship as a coach …. but it was in Boston. He was Coach of the Year in 2000 with the Orlando Magic. He now has Kawhi Leonard, Paul George to go with a solid Clippers nucleus. In order to move up in these rankings, he needs to deliver a ring … to Los Angeles.
7. Anthony Davis
The Lakers did everything they could to land Anthony Davis, who was the No. 1 overall pick by the Pelicans out of Kentucky in 2012. He’s a double-double machine and has been an All-Star six times. He has led the league in blocked shots three times, has been a three-time All-NBA first teamer. The only things missing — and these are big ones — are playoff success and a title. Let’s also remember LeBron James wanted Davis as a teammate so badly he gave up his No. 23.
6. Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger has that sweet swing and has blasted 94 home runs in 2 1/2 seasons with the Dodgers. His slugging percentage is .707 as of July 6 and he has 30 home runs. Would be the best player in his region in any other city. See Trout, Mike.
5. Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald is a game-changer. The Rams’ defensive lineman has more than 30 sacks in the past two seasons. He’s ferocious and unstoppable.
4. Sean McVay
You don’t have to wear a uniform to be a key figure. Sean McVay has turned the Rams’ fortunes around and had them in the Super Bowl in his second season as coach. Going 24-8 in the NFL is not easy for any coach, let alone a young gun.
3. Mike Trout
It still means a great deal to be the best player in MLB. Mike Trout may call Anaheim home, but the team is called the Los Angeles Angels. That’s plenty of reason to lock him in near the top of this list. That and the $430 million contract extension and all the amazing stats he continues to put up.
2. Kawhi Leonard
By virtue of having two titles, two Finals MVPs and having signed with the Clippers and having them land Paul George, Kawhi Leonard lands in the second slot.
1. LeBron James
A generational player, a business mogul and community leader, LeBron James stands above all. A three-time champ, three-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star Game MVP and four-time NBA MVP more than offsets the sluggish start in Los Angeles.
