ESPN LA: LA Sports Weekend

Mark Willard keeps L.A. informed with fresh takes on the sports stories that matter in Southern California and beyond.

Archived Podcasts

Paul McDonald, USC Broadcast: 9/2

Former USC QB and broadcast color commentator Paul McDonald joins Pete Arbogast to talk about USC's game against Hawaii. Did the hype get to the Trojans, how did the defense hold up? They also talk of play around the Pac 12.

Ryan Abraham, uscfootball.com: 9/2

uscfootball.com's Ryan Abraham joins Mark Willard to talk about the anticipation to the start of the highly expected USC season. Ryan comments on the balance between the offense and defense. He also talks about the best part of the opening game of the season.

Top 3 Moments: 9/1: 9/2

Kareem Abdul Jabbar to get a statue in from of Staples Center, UCLA wins season opener against Rice, Vin Scully announcing he is back for a 64th year.

Mark Saxon, ESPNLA: 8/19

ESPNLA's Mark Saxon joins Mark Willard and tries to answer the question "What is wrong with the Angels?" Will this hurt Mike Trout's MVP chances? Also, Melky Cabrera news and the Kemp Mattingly ejection incident.

Jim Abbott, former Angel: 8/19

Former Angels great Jim Abbott joins Mark Willard to give his insight of the Angels recent problems, umpires, and PEDs, in light of the Melky Cabrera news.

AJ Mass, ESPN: 8/18

ESPN's Fantasy Football Expert AJ Mass joins Mark Willard to talk about all your fantasy football questions, player updates and more.

Steve Mason, ESPN LA 710: 8/18

ESPN LA 710's Steve Mason joins Mark Willard to talk about who has best chances to win it all, Lakers or USC. Also the Dodgers chances to win the division, the Angels problems and replacement refs in the NFL.

Top 3 Moments: 8/18

Melky Cabrera is suspended 50 games for PEDs, Andrew Bynum meets the press in Philadelphia, USA Mens Soccer beats Mexico in Mexico for the first time.

Dave McMenamin, ESPNLA: 8/12

ESPNLA's Dave McMenamin joins Mark Willard to talk about Pau's inspired play in the Olympics, basketball as an Olympic sport, the arrival of Dwight Howard, Kobe's comments on Bynum and his thoughts on the Lakers' front office.

Rex Hoggard, Golfchannel.com: 8/12

Rex Hoggard, senior writer of Golfchannel.com joins Mark Willard to talk about Tiger's play at the PGA Championship, his chase of leader Rory McIllroy and his constant search to win his next major.

Peter Yoon, ESPNLA: 8/12

UCLA beat writer Peter Yoon of ESPNLA joins Mark Willard to talk about the upcoming UCLA season, Jim Mora controversial recruiting comments, and the selection of Brett Hundley as starting QB.

Garry Paskewitz, wearesc.com: 8/12

wearesc.com's Garry Paskewitz joins Mark Willard to talk about camp USC with only 20 days till the start of the season, Lane Kiffin, Matt Barkley, and Silas Redd.

Top 3 Moments 8/11

Dwight Howard becomes a Laker, Usain Bolt dominates in the 100 meters at the Olympics, Vin Scully on-air (blinking) rendering of Jim Tracy's ejection.

John McClain, Houston Chronicle: 8/5

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle joins Mark Willard live from Canton, Ohio to talk about the NFL's Hall of Fame Weekend.

Jim Mora, UCLA: 8/5

UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora joins Mark Willard to talk about the new UCLA training camp in San Bernardino, the search for the starting QB, the August 16th announcement of the new starting QB and the players reaction to Mora's program.

Lane Kiffin, USC: 8/4

USC Head Coach Lane Kiffin joins Mark Willard to talk about the acquisition of Silas Redd from Penn St., how the roles in the backfield will change, the defensive line capabilities, staying healthy during the season and USC's recruiting success.

Top 3 Moments 8/4

Gabby Douglas wins Olympic women's all-around gymnastics title, Silas Redd coming to USC from Penn St., Dodgers trade for Shane Victorino.

Eric Karabell, ESPN: 7/29

ESPN Fantasy Football guru Eric Karabell joins Mark Willard to go over your fantasy football preview, where to take Aaron Rodgers and which QBs follow, what players are in what tiers, what round do your take a tight end and many more fantasy facts.

Ryan Abraham, uscfootball.com: 7/29

uscfootball.com's Ryan Abraham joins Mark Willard to talk about Penn State's Silas Redd possibly coming to USC, how Lane Kiffin will use him in the offense, and how quickly he will be able to learn the Trojan offense.

Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinal: 7/29

Magic beat writer Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinal joins Mark Willard to talk about the trade wants of the Magic for Dwight Howard, the rumors that the Magic don't want to trade Howard, the percentages of when the trade may go down, what Howard wants in a trade, and where the Lakers figure in this saga.

Ned Colletti, Dodgers: 7/28

Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti joins Mark Willard to talk about the acquisition of Hanley Ramirez, his hotdogging after hitting a homer against the Giants, getting a starting pitcher and bat before the trade deadline and the financial capabilities of Dodgers now versus last year.

Top 3 Moments 7/28

Penn St. receives massive penalties from NCAA, Dodgers trade for Hanley Ramirez, Dwight Howard and GM Ron Hennigan meet.

Rex Hoggard, Golf Channel.com: 7/22

Golf Channel.com's Rex Hoggard joins Mark Willard to talk about Ernie Els win and great play in the back nine at The Open Championship. Rex talks about Els persistance over the last few years to improve his game. With a solid third place finish , how is Tiger Woods' progress proceeding?

Dave McMenamin, ESPNLA: 7/22

ESPNLA's Dave McMenamin joins Mark Willard to talk about the pressure on Orlando GM Rob Hennigan to move Dwight Howard and if indecision is taking hold in Florida. What exactly does Orlando want for Howard; do the Lakers have those assets; if no Howard deal, do the Lakers stand pat?

Aaron Oberholser, PGA Golfer: 7/22

PGA golfer Aaron Oberholser joins Mark Willard to talk about prestigious The Open Championship, Adam Scott's downfall, broomstick putters, and Tiger Woods' swing.

John McClain, Houston Chronicle: 7/15

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle joins Mark Willard to talk about Jeremy Lin possibly signing with the Rockets; Houston fans reaction to all the recent player moves; Texas roulette for Dwight Howard and his role in Spring Breakers with some bikini beauties.

Ramona Shelburne, ESPNLA: 7/15

ESPNLA's Ramona Shelburne joins Mark Willard to talk the Knicks possibly passing on Jeremy Lin; a three way deal with Bynum to Cleveland and Howard to LA; and a LA Sports Weekend version of Fast (maybe Medium) Track.

Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN: 7/15

ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz joins Mark Willard from Las Vegas to talk about how Steve Nash will facilitate the ball down low in Los Angeles; the Jeremy Lin signing race between the Knicks and Rockets; the NBA's Dwight plight; Blake Griffin's injury and the risk of injury in the Olympics.

Howard Beck, NY Times: 7/15

Former Knicks and now Nets beat writer Howard Beck of the NY Times joins Mark Willard to speculate on the Knicks strategic pursuit of the short term phenom Jeremy Lin and the unpredictable status of Dwight Howard.

Marcellus Wiley, 710 ESPN: 7/14

710 ESPN's Marcellus Wiley joins Mark Willard to talk about what the Lakers really need, in light of the Blake Griffin injury, should the top pros play in the Olympics, will Phil Jackson coach again, where will Dodgers and Angels finish, and Hope Solo's drunk episode.