EASY DOES IT !!

With ease, our mighty Lakers
played last nights game against
the N.Y. Knicks and what a score
it was .. 99 - 82. What fun to be
able to not be in a lock out situation
and to have the exhibition games behind
us. Fun going out on those courts at Staples
and play to our hearts' content! Even
with some injuries, the plays and the
joy were there for all to see.
Quite a lovely present for us all I
do believe. Beginning these games
with 3 consecutive games to play
one would think the bodies might
become very tired. Coach Mike Brown
had them practice for 2 hr's one day
and gave them the next day off so
the eagerness to win was the correct
potion evidently last night. Now with four
games played, our Andrew Bynum
will also be able to join his team
mates out there on the courts. It
was nice seeing Matt Barnes playing
once again. Kobe scored a team leading
28 points on 10 for 14 shooting through
three quarters. Pau Gasol and Josh
McRoberts took turns throwing lobs to
each other. All in all, the Lakers
shot 72% from the floor in the first
half of the game which is the best
24 minutes of marksmanship in 12 years.
The Lakers beat the Knickerbockers
for the ninth straight time dating
back to February 13, 2007.
We'll be watching now for this coming
Saturday matinee at Staples playing
the Denver Nuggets.
Our Lakers seem to really be on the right track!
Babs Wells

WE FINALLY WON THE PRIZE!

Back to back to back and losses to Clippers
during those two exhibition games plus
with two more losses too.
Namely Chicago Bulls and also with
Sacramento..but Tuesday night we
strutted our stuff. We are the Lakers!
Matt Barnes still unable to play due
to bursitis and Andrew Bynum has yet
one more game to sit it out before
joining his team mates on the court.
Utah came out pretty strong last eve.
and we were neck to neck there for awhile.
Meta World Peace (AKA) Ron Artest,
made 14 points, Pau Gasol added 22 points,
(even with a bad shoulder) & injured
Kobe Bryant (Right wrist) scored 26 points.
L.A. ran away with a dominant third quarter,
making a 27-8 surge out of halftime in the
club's first win for the new coach, Mike Brown.
Utah missed 17 of its first 19 shots in the
second quarter while the Lakers made a 13-0
run capped by a one-handed dunk by World Peace.
The Lakers blew out the Jazz after halftime,
jumping to a 68-39 lead with a 12-2 run.
Finally our back to back to back series
are out of the way and even though not getting
(still) no consecutive days off until mid-
January, we can only hope for another set
of good plays like we witnessed last night.
New York Knicks visit Staples Center on
Thursday night and we heard last evening
the loud chant calling for Matt Barnes, so
we can only hope that the bursitis lets up
for him to be able to play soon.
Well, Our Lakers have four games to play within
the very next seven days.
Up and at 'em!!!!
Babs Wells

GIDDY-YUP !!!!!

GIDDY-YUP !!!!!
Instead of a handful of practice
sessions and exhibition games,
we find only a few practices and 2
exhibition games. One last night,
and even on home court, we lost
to the Clippers: 114-95.
It was mighty nice to watch all
the same. Derek Fisher was not
suited up (or) playing, this time.
Meta World Peace (AKA) Ron Artest,
tried his hand at making baskets,
Matt Barnes and Steve Blake too.
Kobe Bryant hurled balls that made
their mark easily as did Pau Gasol.
A new face was seen on our Laker team.
Namely Darius Morris. Of course we
all are aware of the new face on
the Clipper team...Chris Paul.
Chauncey Billups of the Clippers
did his level best to help them win.
De Andre Jordan and Blake Griffin
lent their expertise too.
Missing Lamar Odom (who is now with
Dallas), we saw some good plays
with Andrew Bynum, so very tall
out there on the court, but he
will not be playing for 5 games
during our regular season beginning
on Christmas Day with a total of 66
games, due to an infringement of
character during a past game so thus
the penalty was given to him.
It is not certain whether or not
the Lakers are favored to win the
Western Conference, let alone
return to the NBA Finals after
last Spring's second-round exit.
At least there has been a 16 day
training camp for preparation
with the regular season looming.
Coach Mike Brown acknowledged the
lack of time to experiment with
players he is just beginning to
know in a system they are now
learning to play. A former Odom
spot to play, we saw free agent
Josh McRoberts filling in. In fact,
McRoberts could possibly be a starter
while Bynum serves out his 5 game
suspension. On a personal note, we
noticed a tattoo on Kobe's arm with
his wife's name: Vanessa. News tells
us that they just recently have filed
for a divorce last Friday.
Wednesday evening finds us glued to the
set once again - also from Staples
Center - with our Lakers playing the Clippers.
Be fun to win this one, wouldn't it?
Babs Wells

LISTEN UP

No Chris Paul for our Lakers.
Do you think we will be able to get
Dwight Howard ?
Kobe Bryant is not especially
happy right now with the Clippers'
new acquisition.
We have lost Lamar Odom to
the Dallas Mavericks.
Brand new NBA Lakers coach,
Mike Brown, now has to
start his beginning of climbing
the ladder but also must deal
with the players unrest.
David Stern, why?
Wondering just where the placement
will be for Ron Artest (AKA) Meta
World Peace, Luke Walton and Andrew
Bynum with a visibly disgruntled
Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant to
open our 66 game season, supposedly,
on Christmas Day.
Reading sports news in the paper
really does not let any one of
us know honestly of just
what is going on right now.
A note I read, tells us that for
the time being Orlando Magic's
general manager, Otis Smith,
says the teams' goal remains to
keep Dwight Howard in a Magic
uniform as long as they possibly
can do so and that the trade talks
could easily go clear to the end
of the season".
We'll keep in touch as soon as
we do know anything else.
Babs Wells

WHICH REPORT DO WE LISTEN TO

Well, seems our Lamar Odom will soon
be another memory for the Lakers team.
Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant are still
stunned by hearing this and voiced their
opinions on T.V. the other night.
What amazes me is that David Stern was
once a brilliant leader and seems to
have sunk into an oblivious St Patricks'
well here. As the newspaper tells it,
sems like an aging leader too proud and
stubborn to realize he may have overstayed
his effectiveness. Stern has either become
a paranoid control freak or a puppet for a
group of owners who mistakenly think they
can control parity by hindering star players
abilities to move freely about the league.
Looks as though Stern is making a mockery
actually of the kingdom he helped to build.
If this is not happening, then why did he put
out his hand to squelch deals that would have
been so profitable? For example,
reasonable trades that would have brought the
New Orleans Hornets star either to the Lakers
or to the Clippers? This would have also improved
the Hornets and the Houston Rockets.
In the span of less than a week, Stern completely
undercut a good and talented man in Hornets
general manager Dell Demps by overruling
Demps' sound decision making and telling him
that his work was unacceptable. Appears tyrannical!
Collateral damage seems to be just about everywhere.
Meanwhile Kupchak insisted it was not a salary
dump, but acknowledged it gives the players on our
Laker team financial flexibility under the new
collective bargaining agreement. Kupchak also
made it clear he had not given up hope of acquiring
Chris Paul (and/or) center Dwight Howard of the
Orlando Magic. Howard has actually asked the Magic
to trade him to the Lakers, the Mavericks (or) to
the New Jersey Nets. By the way, Kupchak did
apologize to Pau Gasol during a meeting on Friday.
The bottom line here is that if there seems to be
a way to improve the team, then that is what is
to be attempted. Kobe Bryant is one player
that has a no-trade clause in his contract.
That then is just the way it is.
Babs Wells

GET WELL, JERRY BUSS

Having a hospital stay due to
blood clots in the leg, Jerry Buss
is so far doing fine.
Expectations are that only another
day or two will find him hospitalized.
Buss has owned the Lakers team ever
since 1979 and because of extensive
travel, it is believed these clots
began as a result.
On another note, we see that tickets
will be going on sale for the Lakers
individual games! Sales start this
Saturday at 10:00 A.M.
Only four tickets per person per game
is being allowed. Tickets can be found
by going to Ticketmaster online.
www.ticketmaster.com or
Phone 800-4-NBA-TIX.
Pau Gasol of the Lakers has been
approached regarding some chatter concerning
possible trades. Andrew Bynam's name has
also been mentioned. Trades for Orlando
Magic's center Dwight Howard, and for
New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul,
are the contenders names that keep coming up.
Pau shrugs it all off and says he is just
eager to get back out on the courts and play
and we are eager as well, to agree with him.
Babs Wells

STARTING THE COUNTDOWN.......

Nothing helps out a new coach more
than championship-caliber talent.
Therefore Mike Brown ought to be
just fine. The core of Kobe Bryant,
Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum,
Derek Fisher and Ron Artest (AKA
Metta World Peace) remains from
the team that won the 2010 title.
Brown's pedigree is defense but his
arrival signals we think, the end
maybe of the vaunted triangle
offense in L.A. Yes, they do
really need a longer training
camp, for starters, as the new
system used to implement, or
perhaps some anti-aging cream?
Fisher is now 37 and the mileage
on Bryant's legs goes beyond
his 33 years. Folks have sort
of wondered if perhaps a deal
for Dwight Howard or Chris Paul
might average it all out some.
It is still championship-or-bust
here, so a slow start could spark
a few major changes. This then will
be a very different challenge for
Brown, who reared a teenage LeBron
James, but must now gain the con-
fidence of Bryant, who is as strong
headed as they come.
Lakers coach Mike Brown shared a
laugh with general manager Mitch
Kupchak last Friday at their news
conference. In fact, Brown just
might use elements of the triangle
offense that always used to be
employed. This happened during
the NBA winning title for the Lakers.
However, we will very likely be seeing
far more pick and roll which might
make it more difficult for Fisher
to be effective against some of the
league's speedsters, including Derrick
Rose of the Bulls on opening day
December 25th. At any rate, on that
Sunday, many of us will have our
eyes pealed on the T.V. set.
Feels so good to be almost ready
to once again root for our Lakers!
Babs Wells

SOME TURKEY LEFT OVERS

Now that November is leaving
us it is time to concentrate
on December. For those of us
that have been wishing for a
very 'special gift, it seems
we will be rewarded. On
Christmas day we can awaken
to the knowledge that yes,
indeed, our Lakers will be
playing on the basketball
courts and not the legal ones
for a change. Seems we will not
see Andrew Bynum there,
as he has been suspended for
the first five games. No Phil
either but we will welcome to
the team, a new coach in seeing
Mike Brown spurring the team on.
The 149 day lockout is finally
history and we can breathe a big
sigh of relief as we cheer for the
Laker team with a 66-game
season this time. December 25th
we will be playing up against the
Chicago Bulls. We also will be
seeing a fit Matt Barnes. He has
lost 15 lb's. and strengthened
his surgically repaired right knee.
Three days ago Pau Gasol returned
to California from playing in his
native country in Barcelona.
He is also fit and eager to play.
Training camp begins December 9th.
Mike Brown has taken the well used
triangle away and replaced it with
the emphasis on specific play calls
and post-up chances. Along with this,
there is talk of hope for keeping
Lamar Odom on the roster.
There will be some back to back
games due to the scheduling and
the regular season would run through
April 26. This means that the
regular season will actually end
about 10 days later than is usual.
The last possible day of the NBA
Finals would be June 26, two weeks
later than the championship series
ended last season. Teams would play
48 games within their conference
and 18 non-conference games.
No team would play on three
straight nights more than three times.
Back to back games might also be
played during the second round of
the postseason.
We are proud of Derek Fisher for all
the hours he put in for negotiations
and flying time. He too is eager though
to be playing basketball but he is a
very noticed part of our team at age 37
to be a player plus our players association
president. He has invested countless days
and nights at the conference table and we
thank him profusely for all energies given.
Now it is time to knuckle down and begin
putting our suits and ties away and bring
out our purple and gold uniforms.
We are Lakers and want to play some basketball!
Let the games begin, and thank you St. Nick.
Babs Wells

P.S. FOR NBA TODAY

Unlike!
NFL lockout is looking more
and more truly like the NBA's will
jeopardize the entire season.
Hoping not, but as of right now
it is not looking too promising.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Anthony Tolliver was watching back
in March, when pro football players
announced they were disbanding their
union and suing the NFL under antitrust
law.
"We shall see how the next steps go"
Tolliver said at the time. "Hopefully
we'll learn from them".
Well, now it is time to find out what
Tolliver and his peers picked up.
He is but one of a handful of basket-
ball players, including All Stars
Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant,
who filed class-action antitrust
complaints against the NBA in
Federal Court during this past week.
This could lead to a dragged out
legal process or, as happened with
the NFL's labor dispute, wind up
bringing the sides back to the
table to negotiate.
"We have seen every twist and turn
and I imagine we will be seeing
many more. Hopefully a settlement
can be reached, relatively quickly,
and the NBA season can be saved".
said Jeffrey Kessler, outside
counsel for both the NFL and NBA
players associations. "That would
be the very best result for every-
one, to have a litigation settlement
now".
The NBA's lockout came swiftly
on the heels of the NFL's, but already
has lasted longer, and there's one
very significant difference: Football's
labor dispute resulted in the loss of
only one exhibition game, while the
NBA is on its way down the path toward
a shortened regular season - if one is
played at all.
The lockout does not just hurt players
either, it hurts workers. It hurts cities.
It hurts people who really need the income
provided by the NBA and most of all here
is what we ought to keep in mind, that the
players do not want this lockout either.
Some players have already agreed to play
for charity. Some are opting to play
overseas. Kobe Bryant has been in contact
with Italy as most of us are aware of.
Dwyane Wade has already authorized his
agent to listen to viable offers also.
Both leagues' labor problems began, at
the heart, as arguments over how to
divide billions of dollars in revenue.
(about $9 billion for NFL and about
$4 billion for the NBA) but also over
how to change the rules governing player
contracts and free agency. Last Tuesday
marks the day players were to have received
a paycheck. One that did not take place.
and so, we, the fans continue to listen
to what so ever we are being told and
continue our hopes in seeing some games
being played before seasons' end.
Babs Wells

JUST HOW DO YOU SPELL GREED?

Legal courts are now being hastened to.
NBA players believe that there is some
sort of discrepancy regarding being
locked out to train or play basketball
for 140 days or so. They feel that they
will have a good case to pose to the
lawyers now that all other negotiations
have broken down. It is just possible
that being in a "locked out" position,
antitrust regulations have been violated
and that they have a good case to present.
Attorney David Boise, who represented
the NFL during that sports stoppage, has
now been brought aboard by the basketball
players and it seems they do have a case
to file being locked out with the players
not able to play. They want to get
back to work and it is feasible that this
case might not take all that long to remedy.
Boise claimed, "if you are playing a game
of poker and you run a bluff, and the bluff
works, you become a hero. If someone calls
your bluff, you lose. In this case, I think
that the owners overplayed their hand".
The way it seems today is that the players
gave in on concession after concession after
concession, but greed is a terrible thing.
It actually becomes a most dangerous thing.
For a full season, the amounts that could
have been made run into the billions of dollars,
but irreparable harm has taken place now
with players unable to play in their rather
"short careers" with the NBA.
Boise acknowledged that the case could take
months, but hoped there would be a settlement
before too long. Often lawsuits can get delayed
but in everybody's interest it is hoped that
this matter can get resolved promptly.
The longer it goes on, the greater the damages
that the teams will face, the greater the damages
that the players will suffer and perhaps most
important of all, the longer basketball fans
will be deprived of basketball. So it is hoped
that the legal courts will move quickly.
The players have shown their willingness to
negotiate throughout but you cannot negotiate
by yourself. That has to be done only if you
do have some one to negotiate with.
There are two suits-one filed in conjunction
with the players' association in the Northern
District of California and another filed in
Minnesota, likely with a favorable venue
in mind. The NBA already has filed a pre-
emptive lawsuit in New York seeking to
prove the lockout is legal and likely would
push for cases to be moved there to gain the
legal home court. So again our waiting game
comes into all this muck.
As of right now it seems that in order to see
basketball with these players we know, we
might be forced for awhile to see them
on Italian courts, Spanish courts or...?
So as of this date, games through Dec. 15
have been canceled and Tuesday marked
the players missing their paychecks. This
makes it with no games for 26% of the season
as it's standing today.
Babs Wells

O.K. ARE YOU READY????

Seems talks did end up with a far better
consideration for players being allowed
soon to play some basketball. The date
(right now) that has been set is for
a 72-game schedule starting on Dec. 15.
The league presented the players' association
with the new offer on Thursday after nearly
11 hours of bargaining, hoping it would be
enough to end the lockout. But union president,
Derek Fisher said it doesn't address all of the
necessary system issues that are important to
the players. At least not entirely, as they still
felt some system issues were extremely important
to try and close all of this out.
So at this point the way it appears is that for
right now they have decided to end things and just
take a step back. By doing that, they would go
as an executive committee, as a board and confer
with the players reps. and additional players
over the next few days. I guess after that some
other considerations would be about what the
next step might be at that point.
On Monday or Tuesday, it seems it is possible
to have a new proposal, if good enough, for the
full membership for a vote. They can then say
yes or no, but not bother asking for another meeting.
Commissioner David Stern says that there just simply
comes a time when you have to be through negotiating,
and it has come to this point in time now.
Stern mentioned that it is not the greatest proposal
in the world but he feels he has the obligation to
at least present it on the table. Union executive
director Billy Hunter agrees with this too.
Beyond the salary cap system issues that divide
sides, there were six pages of what Hunter called
ancillary items, such as the draft age and the
commissioner's disciplinary rights, that still must
be addressed before a final deal.
And so it stands thus.
Babs Wells

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Saturday yet another meeting. This one
just a tad different is all. Now plea
is for 51% allowance regarding NBA
players. This then, is maybe the bottom
line and we shall see how it plays out
(a word play being the crucial word) !
Wednesday, apparently, is the deadline
given right now for acceptance as to
their ultimatum. However union president
representing the Lakers, Derek Fisher,
is skeptical that this would be the
final word after all. What all this boils
down to is whether or not there will even
be a 2011/2012 playing season after all.
On Wednesday, the offer is being threatened
to drop from 51% to 47%.
So if all involved are not on the same page
with this, (The league-imposed) deadline,
then it will very likely trigger more calls
to disband the union & by doing so, it would
mean taking the league to court, a battle that
could take months. What this would mean is,
a vote to de-certify would end this season.
Attorney Jeffery Kessler stated
that the players are beginning now to really
feel efforts at intimidation on what is right.
Now being offered, is not in the players best
interests. Compromise seems to be a dirty word
and the others in this fray are not giving
an inch so the players feel that they are
not actually being given a choice.
In a totally different realm, Billy Graham,
the Evangelist, celebrates his 93rd. Birthday
today, and he just completed his 30th Book
that he has written.
Another note of interest is that on Sunday.
November 6, 1861, James Naismith -
the inventor of the game of Basketball - was
born in Almonte, Ontario Canada.
And finally, we sadly bid our goodbyes to
one of the finest curmudgeons around,
that great writer and wonderful commentator
on CBS for so many years having gone in
for undisclosed surgery at 92, Andy Rooney
did not make it & so we lost his writing & his wit.
Good bye and we'll not disturb you as you so
often urged your many fans to honor.
Babs Wells

AND THE DRAMA CONTINUES TO PLAY OUT

Saturday, November 5th, the owners
and the players of the NBA, will once again meet.
They really need an economic move to end
this impasse. When negotiations begin again
the union leaders say that they are unified
as they seek to resolve the lockout.
The battle is not within the union, we are
being told by Milwaukee guard Keyon Dooling.
We also are reading that Derek Fisher is the
best president the union has ever seen.
As vice president, he stated that as committee
members report, they will stand behind him.
Owners and players have not met since talks
broke off Friday Nov. 28th. Billy Hunter, executive
director, said federal mediator George Cohen
contacted him earlier this week about possibly
rejoining the negotiations. Cohen probably
will not be involved in this meeting, but the
conversation led to Hunter calling commissioner
David Stern on Wednesday about resuming talks.
Hunter said union leaders had spent the past
several days cautioning players that the two
sides were still far apart on several system
issues, so completing a deal was not as simple
as a compromise on the revenue split.
Derek Fisher stated that indeed the players
were anxious to begin to play once more but that
they simply could not rush into a deal that
may become a bad deal just to save the season.
Although neither side seems to be shifting
their stance, the talks will resume .
And so fans, we sit it out again to watch and see.
Babs Wells

No Basketball games while we play the Waiting game

More negotiations rule the day. Players had 57%
of their monies and now have agreed to have 52.5%
and still it is not to be a given. Owners are
insisting on 50-50. Rome was not built in a day
we are told but these stalemate meetings continue
to go on and on with no exhibition games & we are now being
told no playing games even through the month of November.
Yes, realization has set in, no full NBA season is
any longer possible. The talks have broken down.
The old cap system allowed teams to exceed it
through the use of a number of exceptions, many
of which the league wants to tweak or even
eliminate. Union executive director Billy Hunter,
has called a hard cap a "blood issue" to players,
and though the league has backed off its initial
proposal calling for one, players think the
changes owners want would work like one.
Negotiations have broken off again over the
division of basketball related income, just as
they did last Thursday. The split, when any talks
resumed, continued to be a deal with 50-50 as the
only concession so far left standing.
Hunter went on to say "We made a lot of concessions,
but unfortunately at this time it's not enough, and
we're not prepared or unable at this time to move
any further". David Stern made it clear that owners'
future proposals would be made with the losses in mind.
Players eventually will get their money, but less of it.
However the damage to the businesses that rely on the
game will not be recoverable.
And, as has been said already before, other than we
fans losing out those businesses are sure losing out too.
With so many people depending on monies from games played,
seeing in print that even with a possible agreement now,
potentially $2 billion is at stake for each side, leaves
a bad taste in our mouths, speaking of such larger numbers.
Waiting game continues to plague us.
Babs Wells

LAKERS BASKETBALL UPDATE

Lakers coach Mike Brown, hired Darvin Ham
as an assistant Monday.
Ham, who played for six NBA teams during
an 8 season career, served as the coach of
the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBA's
developmental league last season.
Ham joins a crowded bench with Brown
having already hired John Kuester, Ettore
Messina, Chuck Person and Quin Snyder as
assistants. Brown said last week he would
very likely be hiring two or three more
assistants. Ham is the first of the new
hires.
Brown worked in the Denver basketball
operations department when Ham signed
with the Nuggets as a free agent in 1996.
Ham also played for the Indiana Pacers,
Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks,
Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.
Coach Mike Brown always tells people
that ask him, that yes, he does go into
his office most every day even though
there is still NBA lockout.
He goes over plays and plays of different
versions tried and of terminology of
practice plans, with hand-written notes
on what worked and what did not.
Over the past few months, he and his assistants
have compiled new offensive and defensive
schemes for the Lakers, ones they will use
when the labor impasse ends and the players
and coaches get back to the work of preparing
for and playing games. With help from game
films and the aid of assistant Chuck Person,
the one holdover from Phil Jackson's staff,
Brown gauged the strengths and weaknesses of
each player on the roster. The coach says that
it is time consuming work and granted, some days
are far busier than others, but for the most part,
Brown has been preparing for the next season.
Yes, it is any body's guess just when that may be.
November the 1st., we understand is pay day..
Looks as if the Lakers coach is doing his job
so the rest seems up to everyone else!
Babs Wells

AND THE BEAT GOES ON........

Negotiations, mediator talks, discussions,
compromises, arguments, more talks...and
the fans are left to suffer the loss of
games. Perhaps this is really the worst
loss of all. It looks like it will be
the federal mediator, George Cohen, who
will meet again with the players and
owners to make attempts at an agreement.
Without any forms of an agreement, we already
realize there will be no games on Christmas
Day and possibly beyond. For two months
these talks have been hindered by dis-
agreements at the risk of even the season.
People are really getting mighty tired
of it. Seems that the entire economics
of these sports and what the athletes
and owners are making is certainly not
resonating with fans. Not when so many
fans are out of work and looking for jobs.
Millionaires and billionaires are squabbling
over millions and billions and it is really
not in most peoples minds to sympathize with
them. Both sides met on Wednesday for 15 hours.
The longest time frame yet for these meetings.
Large gaps remain, with both sides seeking
53% of basketball revenue and players are
opposed to owners attempts to change the
salary cap system. Both sides seemed to have
plenty to talk about. After an 8 hour meeting
Wednesday brought time together to more than
24 hours over these past two days, federal
mediator George Cohen said they would still
be needing to resume bargaining this afternoon.
Today then is the first time meeting for three
consecutive days and becomes the first time
during the 111 day lock out. Hopefully it will
turn out to be constructive, direct and able
to reach an agreement.
And......the beat goes on.
Babs Wells

SAME OLD, SAME OLD, SAME OLD

AND...once again seems we are being given
the bums' rush. Now a mediator has been
allowed in to fence with the meetings
of all parties concerned. This is the
very same mediator that was assigned
to aid the NFL when they were negotiating.
Commissioner David Stern stated
that in "his gut" he is afraid nothing
much will come of the talks planned
for next Monday. He said that it may even
turn out that we will not be viewing any
Laker games, even at Christmas time.
Now on Tuesday talks resume.
Owners and players are scheduled to meet
with the federal mediator and then have
board meetings on Wednesday. Stern continues
to say that he thinks even further cancellations
are coming. The labor relations committee
and Billy Hunter having brought in his
executive committee, think it is time to make
this deal. If we do not make it then,
Stern feels there is just no way that
any playing could possibly be happening
until after Christmas. Christmas is
traditionally the first big day of the NBA
season. This year's three-game schedule
features the Lakers hosting the Chicago
Bulls at Staples Center and the NBA Finals
rematch between the Dallas Mavericks and
Miami Heat. Yes, the sides will certainly
have to act quickly to save it. The talks
have stalled over the structure of the
salary cap system and the division of the
revenues between owners and players.
The mediator chosen, is George Cohen.
When asked if Cohen had the ability to
move the sides toward a deal, Stern said:
"I am hoping he does because I think that
if we do not make some deal that can be
accepted, I really do despair".
Having lost already the two weeks for sure
on our own, it will take agreements on both
sides to not let the entire season slip away.
Both sides will have to also decide on how
to divide up about $4 billion in annual revenue.
Why does there seem to be the word greed
entering into this I wonder? Such large numbers
in monies and yet there is a real stalemate,
just boggles the mind for most of us.
It would seem to me that this is the crucial time
to make a lasting deal.
Think so too?
Babs Wells

PRAYERS WERE OFFERED BUT ..

.. evidently, seems not enough.
NBA owners and players continue
discussions. And this means no games
for us spectators to see. All
the periphery basketball incomes
that ordinarily would be coming in
are also being placed "on hold".
parking attendants, security guards,
eatery concessions, t-shirt sales,
etc., not to mention that the entire
basketball players teams are not receiving
paychecks. Negotiators for both
sides met for more than 5 hours on Sunday
before breaking for the night. Neither side
offered many details although union officials
confirmed they had scrapped a planned
meeting with membership in Los Angeles so
instead, remained in New York. David Stern
and Adam Silver, deputy commissioner, along
with Peter Holt of San Antonio, Glen Taylor
of Minnesota and senior vice president & deputy
general counsel Dan Rube, met with the union
executive director Billy Hunter, Derek Fisher,
president of the Lakers & vice president Maurice
Evans of the Washington Wizards plus attorneys
Jeffrey Kessler and Ron Klempner before the
L.A. regional meeting took place in L.A.
As of right now however, there is a work stoppage.
NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first
two weeks of this season after players and the
owners were unable to reach a new labor deal
to end the lockout. With every day that goes by,
Stern said, I think we need to look at further
reductions to what is left of the season.
This then is the first work stoppage since the
1998-99 season was reduced to playing only 50 games.
With another work stoppage, the NBA risks
alienating a fan base that sent the league's
revenues and TV ratings soaring during the 2010-11
season. The cost of cancellations would be
staggering, Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said.
The league would lose hundreds of millions of
dollars, while union executive director Billy Hunter
estimated players' losses at $350 million for each
month that they were locked out. Hunter did say that
he didn't think the full season was in jeopardy yet
and stressed it would be a mistake for the NBA to
risk it coming off a season when revenues and T.V.
ratings had soared as they had. To kill the entire
season would be foolish as it really is the very
best season in history of the NBA and to lose our
audience would be a shame with our economy as it
is today, most feel. This is because it
did take quite a while to recover from the '98
lockout and could be even longer to recover for
this time around.
And so dear friends - the waiting game continues!
Babs Wells

WELL FOLKS - THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Come to the table...and then find no winners.
It is sad but true. All the past negotiations
and meetings so far have proved futile.
Seven more hours of talk and players and
owners failed to reach a new labor deal.
Monday they met again and were offered
a 50/50 contract but the owners would not
agree to that either. There had been some
optimism on Saturday when union vice president
Maurice Evans said things were going along
pretty good as he left to go catch a flight.
No vendors, car attendants, gate security
people, and others earning monies from
basketball related items are also awaiting
the players and owners decisions and agreements.
The NBA shelved the rest of its exhibition
schedule Tuesday and will wipe out the first
two weeks of the regular season if there seems
to be no getting the sides to come to a labor
agreement.Unable to make the progress required
on both sides, David Stern, Commissioner, and Deputy
Commissioner Adam Silver refused the terms
that have been formally proposed to them.
The NBA talks had gained some power when LeBron
James showed up to take part in the discussions
and some tell us he became quite agitated so
disappeared in the final moments.
The owners claim that they have lost a combined
$300 million last season, which is why they need
to restructure the salary cap system and take a
greater share of the BRI (basket ball related income)
in the next CBA. The players have disputed the
owners' losses from the beginning. The Lakers president
of the NBA, player Derek Fisher, along with teammate
Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
of the rival Boston Celtics, were in attendance
also speaking of the BRI.
Laker Pau Gasol, along with his brother Marc of
the Memphis Grizzlies, would begin workouts soon
then with FC Barcelona, their former Spanish club
team. Kobe Bryant, is probably going
to sign a 10 game contract with Virtus Bologna
arranging a deal to play in Italy. He has been
offered $3 million to play with them and they are
right now trying to work out all of the details.
It all hinges on other clubs changing their schedules
to ensure Bologna has five home games during the
span. Also, they are considering opening five road
games in Italy's biggest arenas. Smaller clubs
Cremona and Varese, are reluctant to alter their
schedules. They all do agree however that having
Kobe come and play in Italy would be of key importance
for the greater awareness of Italian basketball.
On a far softer note, this writer has become a
great grandma twice over this year, 4 months apart!
Saige Ella was born in April and Jordynn Marie was
born in August. How fortunate can any gal get anyway?
Both girls are both so completely different in their
appearance. Saige, darker hair and huge brown eyes,
Jordynn, fair with blue eyes and reddish auburn
hair. My pride runneth over! My happiness brims with
smiles and heartfelt joy over these two small imps.
Just felt maybe you might also like to share in my
private life a teensy bit so forgive me for gloating
but thank you for your indulgence!
Lakers, we are sorry to realize we will be missing out
on some fun games but hopeful to not lose the entire season.
Stay close to the sports news to find the outcome.
Babs Wells

So far, not looking too positive!

Negotiators for NBA & its players met for
2 hours Tuesday & will be talking again soon.
They say they are making an effort to end the
lockout, but it is not looking too promising right now.
The lockout has been going on for 3 months.
Both sides said neither concern nor optimism
ought to be read into the brevity of this meeting.
Time is needed for owners and players to simply
take the time out to think about what all has
been discussed. David Stern hinted the session
will determine when more discussions might be
warranted. It is expected that today there might
be a possibility of some form of negotiation,
however the members on both sides realize that
the Jewish calendar observes this time to be
a holiday. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver told
the owners labor relations committee all should be
prepared to come to the table and consider their
concepts. Lakers Derek Fisher, President of the
players association told reporters "we are trying
to see if we really can get a deal done".
Meanwhile, Lakers Kobe Bryant is considering
four different offers and Italian team Virtus
Bologna has made the offer to him of $5 million
for a one-year contract. Their main sponsor
is Canadian Solar. Another mention was that
they would offer him $900,000 to play only one game!
All the offers are pre-tax & would allow Kobe to
return to the Lakers immediately if the lockout
should end. Kobe lived in Italy for 7 years
in his youth while his father, Joe Bryant, played
pro-basketball there and Kobe speaks fluent Italian.
It has been rumored that the entire basketball season
of 2011 and 2012 could very well be canceled.
David Stern is in control pretty much for making
that sort of a decision so regular games as we
the spectators know them to be, are at stake here
but perhaps some better news will appear this week end.
Granted, it is a risk and a new collective bargaining
agreement would have to be put on the table.
Training camps already have been postponed and 43
games scheduled for the first week of the preseason
have been canceled. The league has said it will
make decisions about the remainder of exhibition play
as warranted, and those could come shortly.
And so fans, the long and short of it is really not
new to us, is it? We are eager for all parties
to come to a more friendly agreement so we
can begin to cheer on our Lakers...Please?!
Babs Wells

NBA Notes of Interest

Staff members from the NBA and players'
association met and top negotiators from
both sides are huddled in talks.
A small group from each side took part
over a few hours on Wednesday. Today
commissioner David Stern, deputy commissioner
Adam Silver and other top negotiators
from the league will then meet with
executive director Derek Fisher of the Lakers
team. He will be flying to New York tonight for an
overnight and it is believed others will be with
him from the union. Players and owners are still
clashing over the salary-cap structure as the
lockout that began July 1st reaches an important
stage. Training camps are expected to be open
October 3rd but that could easily become postponed
with no deal this week.
Ron Artest (Laker) has now officially changed his
name to be Metta World Peace so it is rumored "Peace"
will be now showing on the back of his jersey.
Ron claims he picked that name to inspire and bring
youth together around the world. He also went on
the T.V. Show "Dancing with the Stars" and did not
do so well as he was eliminated from the show already.
Wrapping up regarding the NBA solution
of hard-line owners and the myopia of the players
union for an NBA collective bargaining agreement,
really is not all that complicated and ought to be
settled and tied up soon. (Just not too tightly).
For one thing, Derek Fisher has invited DeMaurice
Smith of the NFL players' Association to speak
during the meeting today (Thursday)
about the need for solidarity. Also, Fisher
pleaded for patience and unity in an email to
his fellow players. He told them it is the owners
that are divided and not the players - that they
are unified. He claimed also to continue to
reiterate that very point.
And so we listen carefully Re: our NBA Saga and hope for
positive results.
Babs Wells

Standstill so far yet with NBA

NBA owners continue to crunch the numbers.
Derek Fisher, Lakers guard and Union President,
suggested the season is in doubt of starting
on time as it ought to. He and Players Association
Executive Director Billy Hunter appeared rather
downcast after last Tuesdays meeting with the Lakers
owners. The talk about town is that there seems to be
a whole lot of posturing going on and part of the ploy
evidently is the huge salary Lakers Kobe Bryant receives.
He pulls in a payday of $24 million. Evidently some of
the teams showed some big losses. Right now it stands at
owners getting a 43% gain whereby the players get 57%.
Naturally the players are unwilling to give up their
bigger share because it would mean rolling back their
salaries. Keep in mind of the BRI also. This stands for
basket-ball related income, or all the money the teams
and their players generate from ticket sales, radio and
TV rights fees, parking and concessions, along with
anything else that fills the coffers of the leagues 30
teams. Right now, the owners would certainly like to see
the numbers ratio reversed so that they could gain firmer
financial footing. In fact, there are a handful of owners
that are believed to be willing to forgo a season of playing
in order to make their points be taken seriously and have
the % numbers reversed feeling then they would be getting
a fairer share. That, of course, would mean a victory for
the owners. Meantime, we spectators sit, wait and watch
the sports news to see what on earth just might happen.
Hope to see you at the game 2011.
Babs Wells

Lakers...what did you do on summer vacation?

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer.
Kids trot back to school & teachers ask them to
write about what they did during summer vacation.
With our Lakers it appears their summer goes on & on.
June 30th lockout meant changes for our players
certainly. With the labor impasse & the havoc it is likely
to wreak regarding training camps scheduled to open
Oct. 1st, we sit and wonder. Derek Fisher, Laker guard,
is president of the players' union & has been conferring
with commissioner David Stern, among others, trying to
hammer out a new contract so that our season can start
on time. Lamar Odom, Laker forward, watched his sister-in-law,
Kim Kardashian, marry another NBA player, Kris Humphries. Lamar
and his wife, Khloe, also attended the Teen Choice Awards.
Andrew Bynum, Laker center, illegally parked his BMW in not one,
but two handicapped parking spots at a pricey grocery store in
Playa del Rey and of course totally embarrassed himself.
Pau Gasol, Laker forward/center joined the Spanish national
team for its defense of the European Championships, which
began last week in Lithuania. Spain is favored to win the
title later this month and thanks also to his brother Marc,
7 footer, playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Luke Walton, Laker forward, has accepted a job as assistant
coach at the University of Memphis. He will help the Tigers'
big men and aid with recruiting. He is planning to return
to the Lakers once the lockout is over. He is most hopeful
he will become a welcomed contributor under the coaching
of the Lakers new coach, Mike Brown.
Ron Artest, Laker forward, is the name that has cropped up maybe
the most in recent weeks with his attempts of name change
to "Metta Worldpeace". To not allow for dullness, he has
been picked for "Dancing with the Stars"..so has Chaz Bono!
Kobe Bryant, Guard with Laker team, went on a barnstorming tour
of Asia, played a few exhibitions & looked like a changed man
after undergoing a radical new procedure on his bad right knee.
There were rumors flying around all summer long that Kobe would
be playing for Turkey (or) China, both banned however due to their
existing contracts.
Another meeting is this Wednesday for the second time since the June walkout, with the lead negotiators, should give us some promise. All eyes are on this meeting in hopes the NBA's collective
bargaining tools will fall into place for a good huddle session.
Now for another ball player, we will take a minute to pause in
remembering Joe Frazier. Yet another basketball enthusiast. Joe
is 28 and was a star at CSUN and a coach for the kids at Calabasas
High. A big SUV ran a light in Tarzana CA and plowed right into Joe on his motorcycle, throwing cycle and driver to the winds - yet that driver never even stopped to give aid. Joe is now still in a coma. candles flicker, parents of this mentors' team gather to pray. Joe has such a knack of reaching out to the young and helping them become proud of their achievements and always seemed to gather the youth around him.
We add our own thoughts in private today as we ask for blessings given.

Babs Wells

NBA Fans Unite!

Well, this has seemed like a mighty long summer
has it not? With the June 30th NBA lockout.
Anyway, from other sources we find our former
coach, Phil Jackson, came out of retirement
long enough to speak on behalf of one of his
former players from when he used to coach in
Chicago. That flamboyant fella: Dennis Rodman.
Members of the 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame
were all eyes front and center to see and to
hear Dennis speak. Five time champion showed
he can still play role of entertainer on the
Eve of his induction. Dennis humorously
thanked NBA Commissioner David Stern "to have
me even in the building". "This game has been
awfully good to me" he stated, with a 14 year
career, including a brief stint with our Lakers.
He had been escorted up to the stage with Phil
Jackson there waiting to give his presentation.
Choking up often, Dennis accepted his day in the
sun being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame. Lakers owner, Jerry Buss
was amongst the celebs offering their applause
as well. The evening was an emotional one for the
5 time champion. Now we all look forward to the
fall season for NBA Lakers games. What is most
unusual to consider for me is this "NBA owners
locked out the players...right? And now the owners
have filed an unfair-labor practices suit against
the players? Got it? Wish I did"
Babs Wells

Summertime & a few NBA words of note

Joe Bryant, "Jellybean", father of Lakers
star, Kobe Bryant, is having fun coaching
a Woman's Basketball team called the "Sparks"
and they are doing very well indeed. Kobe
himself has been toying with the idea of
going to Turkey to possibly play with the Besiktas.
Former Laker Sasha Vujacic has been making noises
along those same lines. Another former Laker
player, California's own, Jordan Farmar, has headed
to Israel playing with the Maccabi Tel Aviv team.
During the NBA lockout, these overseas offers have
been floating in enticing players to come & play.
The NBA has actually taken action to sue the players.
During the talks for compromise, it would appear that
part of the provocation is a feeling of unfair labor
practice that is being charged with the National
Labor Relations Board. More than two dozen threats
to dissolve their union under antitrust laws to
secure more favorable terms have been confirmed.
Derek Fisher has been instrumental in the N.Y. talks
to put other options on the table. NFL players de-
certified their union this year and ultimately
resolved a 41/2 mo. labor dispute with their owners
and NBA players are using their same lawyer to make
attempts for their own possible lawsuit. David Stern,
league commissioner, is not optimistic. It seems that
the players willingness to engage in agreements are
not serious since their last meeting on June 30th.
Union chief Billy Hunter, and players Theo Ratliff and
Derek Fisher, are pretty downcast right now after their
N.Y. meeting this past Monday. The players attorney,
Jeffrey Kessler, says this lawsuit is merely a pressure
tactic and that all parties must resign themselves to
reaching an agreement before the 2011-2012 season is in
real jeopardy. Everybody ought to come to the table and
read from the same page and arrive at their conclusions
from the same place. Finally, the leagues' lawsuit also
makes an attempt to secure support for the massive
salary reform, should the union dissolve. It is a sticky wicket.
Babs Wells

Laker notes in July

One question remains. Kobe Bryant
underwent a plasma-enriched bone
on bone procedure overseas and now
is still contemplating going out
on to the courts in Turkey this fall
playing hoops, being locked out of the
NBA. It would seem rather rash for this
consideration, I would think, to put
his body in jeopardy in any way, shape
or form. I would think that a
rest until the fall season is upon us
might be the best way to go.
Kobe's Dad coached the WNBA team
(Sparks) from August 2005 through the
2006 season, guiding them to two
playoff appearances. He then was
hired in March as an assistant to
Coach Jennifer Gillom. Gillom has
since lost her position and Joe
"jellybean" Bryant (father of Kobe)
has been hired to take over as Coach.
The Bryant family is certainly
athletically talented, willing and
able to continue to give us some
basketball watching joy!
Good show!
Babs Wells

New Laker NBA staff considered

New coach Mike Brown, began hiring his staff when he named
former Detroit Pistons coach John Kuester as an assistant,
Wednesday. It has been reported that Chuck Person, Ettore
Messina and Jim Boylen will also be hired as assistants.
The Lakers are soon expected to announce the hiring of
Quin Snyder as an assistant coach. Snyder, a former
University of Missouri coach, was the Philadelphia 76'ers
director of player development last season.
Four free agents were at the mini camp, namely:
Bobby Brown, Gerald Green, Bobby Simmons
and D.J. Strawberry. Normally, Mitch Kupchak would pick
several top performers to play in the summer league,
but with a lockout such as we find ourselves in now it
figures to be quite awhile before they will be together
under one roof.
We also have heard rumors that player Kobe Bryant has
undergone an overseas procedure on his ailing arthritic
knee that has not required surgery in hopes it may well
be all he might be needing for more ample flexibility
and strength to play ball and go running up and down court.
Not wanting a more permanent closure for our Lakers,
negotiator Derek Fisher has been spending many hours
in attempts for compromise to pacify all parties concerned.
We can only hope.
Babs Wells

NBA LOCKOUT

Even with Ron Artest attesting to a change of
his name, preferably to Metta World Peace,
it seems minds could not come together enough
to prevent the NBA lockout on June 30th at 9:00
p.m. and thus some changes are in the offing.
Apparantly being an enthusiastic fan was not
enough. Appreciating our Lakers for their games
left out profit for the owners. Commissioner
David Stern said "The goal here has been to make
the league profitable and to have a league
where all 30 teams can compete".
Despite a three hour meeting Thursday and a
final proposal from the players-which NBA
leaders said would have raised average player
salaries to $7 million in the sixth year of the
deal- the sides couldn't close the enormous
gulf between their positions.
"The problem is that there is such a gap in terms
of the numbers, where they are and where we are, we
just cannot find any way, it appears, to bridge that
gap." Union Chief Billy Hunter said.
All league business is officially on hold, starting
with the free agency period that would have opened
today. The NBA's summer league in Las Vegas already
has been canceled, pre-season games in Europe were
never scheduled, and the players might have to decide
if they want to risk playing in this summers' Olympic
qualifying tournaments without the NBA's help for
securing insurance in cases of injury.
Meanwhile, the newest faces lining up as possible
Lakers are: point guard: Darius Morris, Forward: Ater
Majok and shooting guard: Andrew Goudelock.
At least for a few seconds time they are wearing
Laker uniforms and hope to be welcomed but it almost
seemed that they were all dressed up with no place to go.
With this latest labor impasse, general manager Mitch
Kupchak and the newly hired coach, Mike Brown will cease
to have any contact with them. The Lakers cannot sign their
draft picks and cannot allow them inside their practice
facility or place them on their summer league with this
turn of events causing a lockout.
A settlement will have to be handled cautiously and soon.
This is indeed quite a predicament to be in, Lakers'
negotiator, Derek Fisher feels. We can only sympathize
with this ourselves and hope it will all work out for
benefit to both sides.
Babs Wells

Laker News - Summer 2011

Summer time in our land and winter time
in N. Zealand and Australia yet they too
like keeping abreast of what is going on
with the NBA. One thing that is most
annoying to me is that it appears our
former Laker assistant coach, Kurt Rambis
has been let go from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
If this was a given, why on earth did they not
give him the opportunity to come back here and
coach our team when Phil Jackson retired?
Makes no sense to me but powers that be decreed
otherwise. Also, Spero Dedes declined the Lakers
offer to step in as their new T.V. play-by-play man
and is set to take the job with the New York Knicks
instead, industry sources say. The Lakers announced
Tuesday that Bill Macdonald would call games next
season on Fox Sports West and KCAL-Channel 9 partnered
with Stu Lantz. Dedes has worked with the Lakers radio
voice for the past 6 seasons & was first in line to
replace Joel Meyers when his contract was not renewed
last April. Macdonald stepped in for Joel who left to
do an NFL Playoff radio assignment. That was the night
that our Kobe Bryant scored a franchise-record 81 points.
Macdonald says he is humbled and thrilled. He grew up
listening to Chick Hearn & became a Lakers fan in the '60's.
He says "I just want to make the Lakers & the fans proud".
Time Warner Cable takes over the Lakers media package
starting in 2012-13 & will have a say then in who
broadcasts the games on T.V.
Lakers Derek Fisher, Players Association President, claims
as the leagues collective bargaining agreement expires
June 30th, we are still just really too far apart on the
largest issue of hard salary cap & some economic issues
as well. Though Commissioner David Stern refused to call
in his last offer, he said the "cupboard is getting barer
and barer". Meanwhile 15 yr. old WNBA is looking pretty good!!
More data later as it emerges this summer. Keep cool!
Babs Wells

It is Official!

Shaq, former Laker player, has decided to hang
it up after 19 seasons of NBA playing.
He has been dabbling in law enforcement so
it is just possible he may decide on another
career as such. We wish him well in his future
days no matter which way the path takes him.
Our new Lakers Coach, Mike Brown, told some
reporters recently while attending a news conference,
that "This is still his team (speaking of Kobe Bryant)
Kobe is Kobe. He has five titles and is one of the
greatest ever. His role will not change. We'll make
sure he'll have the ball in the sweet spots he likes
to have it. He has a great understanding of my
vision and he is on board".
Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, has
no concerns about a clash. Matt Barnes was
at the news conference as well and feels
evidently, very good about this new coach
and says that he was very impressed with him.
"Mike Brown is coming into L.A., one of the
biggest markets, one of the best teams in
sports history. To carry himself the way he
did, and to answer all the questions and not
shy away from anything, to me, showed a lot
and I believe he is ready and just hope he has
thick skin".
Brown had a 272-138 record in five seasons in
Cleveland and guided the LeBron James-led
Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007.
The Cavaliers also advanced to the Eastern
Conference twice. They did not win their
first NBA Championship however.
Barnes, by the way, has said that he would
exercise his $19 million option for 2011-12
to remain with the Lakers.
Lets' please not be judgemental but give
this new Laker Coach a chance. Okay?
Babs Wells

Another Coach

Jim Buss, son of Jerry Buss of the NBA Lakers, has chosen
the coach that he seems to favor - the 41 year old former
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.
Mitch Kupchak, General Manager for the Lakers
did have a voice in this decision but not evidently
the final say nor was Kobe Bryant consulted.
The elder Buss seems to be fading further and
further into the background on these decisions.
Miami's LeBron James was under the watchful
eye of Mike Brown for 5 years and LeBron says
"I think the Lakers got a great coach with Brown
and in Cleveland we had not earlier been having
success but under his coaching, he gave us
success and it started with his defensive concepts.
He definitely helped me become who I am today".
Brown guided Cleveland to the 2007 NBA Finals
and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals.
Brown was the NBA's Coach of the year after
leading the Cavaliers to a league-best 66-16 record
in 2008-09. He helped guide Cleveland to an
NBA-best 61-21 mark in 2009-10. He was analyst
for ESPN this season and served as an assistant
coach with the Indiana Pacers for 2 seasons before
he went to Cleveland. He also was assistant with
the San Antonio Spurs for 3 seasons and the Washington
Wizards for two. After playing for 2 seasons at the
University of San Diego, he began his career with the
Denver Nuggets. First as a video coordinator and later
as a scout. Never though, has he played for the NBA.
He has continued climbing steadily through the coaching ranks.
On a personal note, Mike Brown was born March 5, 1970
in Columbus, Ohio and attended high school in Wurzburg,
Germany. College was in Mesa Community College and
the University of San Diego. He has a wife, Carolyn and 2 sons.
We are not really 'replacing' Phil Jackson but instead, we
are giving a younger man a chance now to "strut his stuff".
Evidently there is quite an ungodly sum of information on facebook
to find out more about this new younger Laker coach.
Babs Wells

Short Clips from this NBA Lakers Writer:

As we all sigh with a bit of relief from
the onslaught our Laker team seemed
to take the last four games of play,
we go into a near dormancy now for awhile.
By the end of October we should look
alive once again but until then, I see that
former Laker star, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
is feeling rather slighted by the Lakers
for not erecting a statue of him outside
Staples Center. He claims he had to
drag Walton and Lanier up and down
the court for 48 minutes and states he
is not a happy camper right now still
waiting for his statue to be erected too.
Statues of Lakers guards Magic Johnson
and Jerry West are there and now even
the late announcer, Chuck Hearn, who
joined Kings great Wayne Gretzky and
boxer Oscar De La Hoya in what is
known as the Star Plaza in front of the
12-year old arena. Kareem is a member
of the Hall of Fame and with Johnson
won five NBA championships during the
showtime era of the 1980's. He is leading
scorer in the history of the league with 38,387
points during his 20 seasons. He remains
a frequent visitor to Staples Center and was
special assistant coach to Andrew Bynum,
(Laker center) as well as mentor to Drew.
John Black (Lakers spokesman) said that
no set plans have been recently made for
doing another statue, however one for Kareem
will absolutely be the very next one done and the
organization has already expressed this to him.
In many peoples' recollection, Kareem is the
greatest player who ever lived." Somebody had
to go first, some one else second and another
third. But we value him and what he's done
for us greatly". John Black has told reporters.
Patience I guess is the key word here and
we will be very glad when a statue is right there
for all to view, Kareem, & please know we do care.
Babs Wells

Lakers coach choices

Well, the list has been compiled unless another curve is thrown at us. See below for the names and info about these men that may be the very next chosen coach.

Rick Adelman is their #1 choice at the moment. His local ties run deep. He was born in Lynwood CA, attended High school in Downey CA & became a standout in Loyola. He knows how to deal with super- stars and is a taciturn & a players coach. He was head coach of the Sacramento
Kings & Portland Trail Blazers, in addition to the Golden State Warriors & Houston Rockets. He coached Clyde Drexler, Chris Webber, Yao Ming & Tracy McGrady. He seems to be the favorite at the highest level with his experience, successes & balanced demeanor.

Another candidate and a man very well liked is Larry Brown. The only thing that could possibly hold him back is the fact it is doubtful he would care to coach beyond 2 or 3 more years. So long term coaching could be a good reason for not quite the consideration we'd wish for.

Kurt Rambis is another very good candidate to coach the Lakers, having been on the Laker coaching team with Phil Jackson before. He is currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is amiable, very able and already well known amongst our players so in that sense it would be a very good fit.

Jeff Van Gundy, formerly with the New York Knicks, is currently acting as sports announcer. He is the brother of Orlando Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy & the son of longtime college and high school coach Bill Van Gundy. Jeff is extremely intense and driven with passion for the game. He seems to have everything you'd want in a candidate. Jeff would make an ideal pick as coach for the Lakers.

Chuck Person's name has become one that is brought up around the locker room as well. He is the Lakers assistant and is moving up the coaching ladder on radar of a couple of teams seeking a head coach. He will be getting his shot somewhere and is expected to interview with the Lakers but the timing might not be right this time around.

So the candidates names are in the pot and the choices will have to be made to allow us to settle down and get acquainted with a brand new Laker coach choice, having said our good bye's to Phil Jackson. It will be a transition to be sure for us all to wrestle with but it will happen all the same and we must cozy up to it and get with the program set about ourselves as well as to learn the habits and new voice for coach. Study them well..these candidates.
Babs Wells

Lakers notes of interest:

Kobe Bryant made the All-NBA first
team and Pau Gasol is a second-
teamer. The league announced that
this now makes the sixth consecutive
season for Kobe and the ninth time in
his career. Bryant averaged 25.3 points.
5 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He was 5th
in the league in scoring. Unfortunately though, Kobe
has told reporters that he feels this
past year has more or less been a wasted
year out of his life. Mitch Kupchak, General
Manager, and Laker coach Phil Jackson
completed two days of exit for this retiring
coach, with interviews after the earlier
than expected ouster Sunday from the playoffs.
Kupchak's busy season is now just starting and
his "to do" list is already being formulated.
First and foremost, he will be meeting with the
owner Jerry Buss and his son, Jim, to sift
through the 2010-11 season and try to figure
out just what went wrong & what to do about it.
They also must make a decision about hiring
a successor for Jackson. Rick Adelman's name
has been mentioned. He was recently let go
by the Houston Rockets. Kurt Rambis, now
coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves is a
good consideration as is Byron Scott, a former
Laker who is coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Mentioning the loss of getting to try for the
Championship, Kupchak said "If there is a silver
lining to losing, you do get hungry again".
Not another Laker footnote but worthy of mention
here anyway sports fans, is that 38 year old T.V.
sports anchor from Chicago, was found dead
in his Atlanta hotel room, where he was staying
while covering the Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks
NBA playoff series. Daryl Hawks worked for WMAQ-TV
since 2008. No known cause for death has been reported.
More tidbits will be entered into this column from
time to time during the summer months, so stay tuned.
Babs Wells

Goodbye Phil

Phil, You have been an exemplary coach and as a remaining
Laker fan I hate to see you depart the role but truly
understand your reasoning. Life takes its' toll on us as
individuals and even as a full working team.
We tried our best and we were defeated.
So as your exit from the team is near,
we wish we could send you off with glee instead
of the type of exit Dallas has placed upon our plate.
Having to be in a losing stretch these last games has
been humbling to say the very least and having some
of our players ejected unceremoniously only adds to
the anger and feelings of loss. Certainly, when Ron Artest
was escorted off the court and later Lamar Odom too,
it hurt our pride and hurt our image but it is all part and
parcel of the game itself. We have met our Waterloo
and the title is Mavericks. More determination, more
drive, more continuity, more complex plays and more
energy displayed as they drove us to the losing corner.
We can hold our heads up high all the same knowing
we have won Championship titles two years in a row
prior to this particular one and Phil has won 11 of them.
He has earned his retirement certainly and we bid him
God Speed with Better health and happier days ahead.
Kobe Bryant has grown up actually underneath the tutoring
of Phil Jackson so it may be difficult for him probably to
entertain thoughts of being coached by another.
Derek Fisher has been with Lakers, Clippers, Utah and
back again with the Lakers team so has accomplished his
goals on the courts and for his family. Andrew Bynum
has undergone pain and surgeries and learned patience
along with it all so to consider now, as a young player still,
being either kept on as a Laker or perhaps even being traded.
We feel so close to each man on the Lakers team that it does
almost seem like family to us who watch with keen interest
to see their accomplishments plus wail at their losses.
We never ever tag them losers though, for in our hearts and our
minds they stand tall and bright and most likely always will.
As assistant, Brian Shaw is one contender that is a consideration
for coach replacement. We will have to wait out during the off season to see what Mitch Kupchak, Lakers General Manager has to say .
When a child of ours errs, we work hard to get him/her back on
track and so it is with our team. We work harder and bring them
back to glory. That is what we all look forward to. Get the rest
you require, work hard on your triangle move. Get this act into
focus so that we are all on the same page. It is what we do.
So long for a little while and keep the faith. Que Sera Sera,
what ever will be, will be. See you next season then?!
Babs Wells

Well, my friends, what we have here is a sticky wicket.

Home court advantage last Monday and again on this
past Wednesday, yet both games Dallas won.
Our Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom,
Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant worked their wonders
yet could not out run or out score the Mavericks.
We have to win the following 4 games straight or
goodbye to any illusions of a champion 3-peat
taking place for this particular time and team.
Losing Coach Phil Jackson will be hard to take
too, but he has earned his right for a retirement.
Yes, it would have been great if we could only
have sent him off with another win and yes, it
still is a slim possibility..but without a home
court advantage for right now and without our
largest fan urging us on..Jack Nicholson, who knows?
We can tip our hat however to another NBA player
today all the same. Clippers Rookie, Blake Griffin.
He just won the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the
2010-11 NBA Rookie of the year award. Congratulations!
No matter the team, we are always pleased for another
deserved player to be recognized and this young man
has earned the right of passage. While all of this was
taking place, back at Staples Center, our Lakers fell
behind in every single quarter of Wednesday's game.
1st. quarter: Dallas 26, Lakers 20. 2nd quarter. Dallas
51, Lakers 49. 3rd. quarter, Dallas 68, Lakers 62,
and so it went right up to the bitter end of 4th quarter,
Dallas 93 and Lakers 81. Adieu my friends, adieu, for
the L.A. contribution of this current debacle. But take
heed, hope never dies. Can we possibly win 4 games
do you think? Miracles can happen! 2011 Cinco de Mayo today
and on that note we sort of hold our breath to wait & see.
Babs Wells

Now you see us, now you don't!!

What happened? We had the game and then we lost it.
Oh my, poor Kobe felt like hiding, I imagine. Loss of a
16 point lead has to hurt. Pau Gasol had a late foul on
Dirk Nowitski with only seconds left to play and we were
by then up by one. Dirk made 2 free throws which gave
Dallas the lead. Jason Kidd made one of two free throws
after a Gasol turn over & then Kobe missed a 3 pointer
right at the buzzer and we were victims of a game loss.
Game 2 of the best of 7 series is tonight at Staples Center
and then the game shifts off to be played in Dallas for game
3 on Friday and game 4 on Sunday. Game 5 (if necessary)
will be played at Staples Center on May 10. Kobe did score
30 points on 11-for-22 shooting in the first three quarters,
sinking 4 of 7 attempts from beyond the 3 point arc.
Kobe's 3 pointer right at the buzzer merely glanced off the
rim with no time left to redeem ourselves so cost us the game.
Perhaps, because it is still early in the playoff series, everyone
is playing nice for the moment. It is interesting, granted, that even
with this latest loss we can still allow for some fun but have
a better grip on the final score tallies. This is the moment of play
and this is the stage for winning. Lets' show them all how we do it.
On TNT tonight at 7:30, we will sit and watch our team and hope
upon hope they will not do a repeat of Monday's game of 96-94.
Like the newspaper print said today, "This is risky business"!
Babs Wells

Champs we are!

Nearly a 20 point win over New Orleans in our
last game in New Orleans with our Lakers
taking control and flexing their muscles!
There was a sell-out crowd in New Orleans
Arena of 17,949 spectators and it got mighty
quiet as our Lakers took the lead and did not
let up. Ron Artest did his muscle man stance
again as he swiped the ball from Hornets' Chris
Paul in the backcourt, converted a layup, flexed
biceps and ignited a decisive 19-6 run that gave
the Lakers such a lead. "Tonight was our best
defensive effort", Coach Phil Jackson stated.
Mission accomplished as Lamar Odom finished
the game with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while
Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum combined their
efforts making 34 points and 18 rebounds and
the injured Kobe Bryant shook off his aching
ankle to chip in 24 points. Indeed, the Lakers
played as if they had actually seen the pick
and roll plays.The Lakers led by as many as
21 points in the fourth quarter. Great game for us.
Game over. Series over.Now the Lakers advance
to the second round to face the winner of the Dallas
Mavericks-Portland Trail Blazers series. No matter
the opponent, Game 1 of the Western Conference
Semifinals is Monday at Staples Center.
Last nights' final score in New Orleans was: 98-80.
The Lakers have been victorious on their first try
in 22 of 29 chances with Phil Jackson as coach.
A three-peat in the offing? Could be!!
Babs Wells

The banners are waving! WE WON!

Not only did our Lakers win last night but our Ron
Artest was given the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship
Award which he duly deserved. His fight against
Mental illness is so worthy of mention. He has
been most aware of the trauma many families face
dealing with this that his tireless efforts have taken
him before Congress for awareness in schools.
His advocacy in support for the Schools Act in
raising money for the Los Angeles County Dept.
of Mental Health embodies the kind of dedication
to important causes that the NBA players have
become known for. Ron has raised more than
$650,000 when he raffled off his Championship
ring in support of Mental Health Awareness and
even was instrumental in filming a public service
announcement. He actually has a passion for this issue.
He is one of our dramatic Laker players too and helped
us to win Tuesday's game against the New Orleans
Hornets. It was questionable if Kobe Bryant would be
suiting up to play, having earlier been seen using crutches.
His left foot and ankle were sprained and sore as he
hobbled about for awhile warming up but then the player
in his soul kicked in and he showed what all he is
made of. In the first quarter former Laker Trevor Ariza
continued to haunt his old teammates as he scored 10
points in taking a 9 point advantage. In the second quarter,
the plan seemed to change a bit and the Lakers began
to respond better. After it seemed Kobe showed no signs
of a tweaked ankle, scoring 12 points to help us get a good
head start, it gave cause for the fans to begin to breathe easier.
In the third quarter Pau Gasol's 3 point play gave us an 11 point
lead and Derek Fisher made 2 - 3 pointers like the player he is.
The fans went wild and then the game began in earnest as the
fourth quarter gave us a 15 point lead showing a Laker win of 106-90.
What a terrific game! Our hats get thrown into the air on this one!
Thank you Lakers for a genuinely great game! We shattered them!
Upcoming game is this Thursday eve. in New Orleans and then
hopefully back again to Staples Center Saturday for game 7.
NBA Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals. Bets are on!
Babs Wells