Staples Center..home to both L.A. NBA teams -
the Clippers and our Lakers..and they both
occupied the same court on Friday night playing
against each other. A very interesting game to
watch too. Blake Griffin of the Clippers gave us
quite a show to see. Our own Kobe Bryant
made baskets to not only match theirs but to
also allow us as spectators to see the dexterity
in which they were dunked. Kobe scored 12 of his
team-leading 37 points in the fourth quarter. Pau
Gasol added 26 points, which meant he was on
the hook for a $26,000 donation as he claimed
to do before the game. This money went to the
relief effort for victims of the Japan earthquake
and tsunami earlier this month. He had made the
promise that for each point he made in this game,
he would donate $1,000. He scored 26 points.
Andrew Bynum returned to the active roster from
a two-game suspension imposed for his flagrant
foul in Minnesota's game last week. He made
11 points and 12 rebounds during the Laker-Clipper
game where we won 112 to 104.
Sunday's game was the Lakers against New Orleans.
Kobe had a team-leading 30 points for the third
consecutive game. The Lakers did not quite lead
from start to finish, as they did while defeating
the Clippers Friday, but it was not long before
they surged ahead of the Hornets. The Lakers
led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter
and by 17 in the third. They won the game scoring
102-84. Now for a practice and a rest at home
before playing again in L.A. against Dallas with
a back to back game away from home Friday in Utah.
No tunnel wrestling gents...keep the peace!!
Babs Wells
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Win or lose, winning is so much more fun!
Winning over Portland and then yet another
win over the Phoenix Suns. When we played the
Trail Blazers, it became such a joy that Kobe
pulled his Jersey right over his head after making
a basket that gave us a lead of 82-77 and eventually
pulled out their 50th victory in their 70th game.
Japan's recent earthquake brought out memories
of their 1995 one in Kobe, Japan yr. our Kobe was
born, living there at the time, he received the name Kobe.
The Portland game brought our fourth consecutive victory
and the 12th in 13 games since the "All Star" break.
Bryant scored 22 points, Lamar Odom made 16 points,
and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Andrew Bynum drew a suspension from playing
2 games. There is a thin line between a hard foul
and a flagrant foul and he did not feel he had done
the foul that was given him but that was the refs'
decision "so be it" even with coach Phil Jackson
also not quite agreeing. Yes, there is certainly
a discretion to be reminded of in these things
so that is the way this one was called. Lamar Odom
stepped up to the plate to take his place in Drew's
absence so that the team still remained intact.
Lamar Odom has filled in so often for Bynum
that he seems amused when he is asked if he has
to adjust to a starting position after serving the Lakers
as sixth man. His comment is "I swear it changes nothing".
Final score over Portland was L.A.Lakers 84 & Portland
Trail Blazers 80.
So now comes the Phoenix Suns into Staples Center
only to run their legs off trying to beat us and even
though their game is a fast one, We did win in
Triple overtime! Granted we lost our 21 point lead
during the game but finally squelched it with
Lakers at 139 and Suns at 137. Hopefully for
our next game against the L.A. Clippers we can
have Andrew Bynum back again on the court.
Clippers won their last game at Staples in double
overtime, playing against the Washington
Wizards. Some players tangled at courts end
toppling over for an interesting few minutes but
evidently no body got hurt. Clippers will be our
opponents on Friday with Lakers playing as hosts.
And now we say goodbye to actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Babs Wells
win over the Phoenix Suns. When we played the
Trail Blazers, it became such a joy that Kobe
pulled his Jersey right over his head after making
a basket that gave us a lead of 82-77 and eventually
pulled out their 50th victory in their 70th game.
Japan's recent earthquake brought out memories
of their 1995 one in Kobe, Japan yr. our Kobe was
born, living there at the time, he received the name Kobe.
The Portland game brought our fourth consecutive victory
and the 12th in 13 games since the "All Star" break.
Bryant scored 22 points, Lamar Odom made 16 points,
and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Andrew Bynum drew a suspension from playing
2 games. There is a thin line between a hard foul
and a flagrant foul and he did not feel he had done
the foul that was given him but that was the refs'
decision "so be it" even with coach Phil Jackson
also not quite agreeing. Yes, there is certainly
a discretion to be reminded of in these things
so that is the way this one was called. Lamar Odom
stepped up to the plate to take his place in Drew's
absence so that the team still remained intact.
Lamar Odom has filled in so often for Bynum
that he seems amused when he is asked if he has
to adjust to a starting position after serving the Lakers
as sixth man. His comment is "I swear it changes nothing".
Final score over Portland was L.A.Lakers 84 & Portland
Trail Blazers 80.
So now comes the Phoenix Suns into Staples Center
only to run their legs off trying to beat us and even
though their game is a fast one, We did win in
Triple overtime! Granted we lost our 21 point lead
during the game but finally squelched it with
Lakers at 139 and Suns at 137. Hopefully for
our next game against the L.A. Clippers we can
have Andrew Bynum back again on the court.
Clippers won their last game at Staples in double
overtime, playing against the Washington
Wizards. Some players tangled at courts end
toppling over for an interesting few minutes but
evidently no body got hurt. Clippers will be our
opponents on Friday with Lakers playing as hosts.
And now we say goodbye to actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Babs Wells
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Chasing!
Timberwolves gave us a merry
chase on Friday evening at
Staples Center..The Minnesota
team, coached by former Laker
assistant coach, Kurt Rambis,
has indeed been busily shoring
up the younger and more inexperienced
team he has taken on for himself.
Kobe Bryant did play though, even with
a sprained and swollen left ankle to deal
with. The teams were tied and Pau Gasol
made a noticeable jump shot to help us
gain the lead. Moments later Lamar Odom
made a 3-pointer to help us get further ahead.
With Kobe being willing, able and ready, our
team felt more in control and took full advantage
of the situation, even with Kobe's shots missing
the baskets at times as his timing was a bit off.
He took a seat on the bench to start the second
half with Shannon Brown taking his spot as
starting shooting guard. All the while Kobe was
fidgeting to get back into the game and finally
did re-enter when the Lakers began trailing the
Timberwolves 62-61. There was 6 minutes and
16 seconds left then in the third quarter. Kobe
did finally come back on to the court and promptly
assisted on Ron Artest's 3-pointer that then gave
the Lakers a 64-62 lead.
Andrew Bynum was experiencing some unease
with fluid build up on his right knee. He appeared
headed for yet another one of his notable games
in superb play though, scoring 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting
& grabbing 8 rebounds in the first half. He and Gasol
dominated the paint early on with Gasol scoring 17
points however the teams were tied, when in the fourth
quarter after a forearm shiver to a driving Michael
Beasley (Minnesota), with 6 minutes and 16 seconds
remaining in a most taut contest, the play was halted with
Bynum being ejected from the game altogether with
referee's calling for a flagrant-2 foul. It really ignited
some passion for the Lakers and they pushed ahead
to eke out a 106-98 victory in front of a sell-out
crowd of 18,997 spectators! Bravo!
So now the Lakers have moved one game ahead of the
Dallas Mavericks who lost Friday to the San Antonio
Spurs, in the battle for second place in the Western
Conference standings. The Lakers are 49-20 and
the Mavericks are 48-21. San Antonio is the league-
leading team with 55-13. Now the buoyancy begins!
Babs Wells
chase on Friday evening at
Staples Center..The Minnesota
team, coached by former Laker
assistant coach, Kurt Rambis,
has indeed been busily shoring
up the younger and more inexperienced
team he has taken on for himself.
Kobe Bryant did play though, even with
a sprained and swollen left ankle to deal
with. The teams were tied and Pau Gasol
made a noticeable jump shot to help us
gain the lead. Moments later Lamar Odom
made a 3-pointer to help us get further ahead.
With Kobe being willing, able and ready, our
team felt more in control and took full advantage
of the situation, even with Kobe's shots missing
the baskets at times as his timing was a bit off.
He took a seat on the bench to start the second
half with Shannon Brown taking his spot as
starting shooting guard. All the while Kobe was
fidgeting to get back into the game and finally
did re-enter when the Lakers began trailing the
Timberwolves 62-61. There was 6 minutes and
16 seconds left then in the third quarter. Kobe
did finally come back on to the court and promptly
assisted on Ron Artest's 3-pointer that then gave
the Lakers a 64-62 lead.
Andrew Bynum was experiencing some unease
with fluid build up on his right knee. He appeared
headed for yet another one of his notable games
in superb play though, scoring 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting
& grabbing 8 rebounds in the first half. He and Gasol
dominated the paint early on with Gasol scoring 17
points however the teams were tied, when in the fourth
quarter after a forearm shiver to a driving Michael
Beasley (Minnesota), with 6 minutes and 16 seconds
remaining in a most taut contest, the play was halted with
Bynum being ejected from the game altogether with
referee's calling for a flagrant-2 foul. It really ignited
some passion for the Lakers and they pushed ahead
to eke out a 106-98 victory in front of a sell-out
crowd of 18,997 spectators! Bravo!
So now the Lakers have moved one game ahead of the
Dallas Mavericks who lost Friday to the San Antonio
Spurs, in the battle for second place in the Western
Conference standings. The Lakers are 49-20 and
the Mavericks are 48-21. San Antonio is the league-
leading team with 55-13. Now the buoyancy begins!
Babs Wells
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
OMG ! Earthquake and Tsunami.
Kobe Byrant's parents were in Tokyo when the devastation
struck Japan. Thankfully they were evacuated in time and
were led to safety. Kobe's Dad is a basketball coach and
years ago when Kobe was born, they were in Japan - in
Kobe, Japan and hence the name given to him.
Games to play all the same and so we can congratulate ourselves
on the last two being winners. Playing against Dallas, we were
in our element. Again we can thank Andrew Bynum profusely.
He kept his right hand in the air in an exaggerated pose,
turned on his heal and headed for some hearty congratulations
from his Lakers teammates Saturday night. Eleven seconds later,
the Lakers applied the finishing touches on a 96-91 victory over
the Dallas Mavericks, their ninth win in 10 games since the
"All Star" break. They completed a make-or-break trip with
a 3-1 record. What is so astounding now is that the Lakers
have since moved within a half-game of the second place
Mavericks 47-19, in the Western Conference standings.
The teams do play once again on March 31 at Staples Center.
Despite Kobe Bryant's ankle sprain injury, he opted to go
out on the court all the same and play against Orlando Monday night.
With the winning score we got Monday, we now have moved past
Dallas and into second place in the West with that victory.
Nice homecoming, one might say!!!
Although this game certainly did not start out well, we were
sadly behind on the court in the first 1/2 of the game only to
trot back out afterward to play our little hearts out in the
second half! It looked like an absolute onslaught at first
until we finally found our rhythm to gain momentum and
confidence to improve our game. And then here we go once
again lauding our praises on Andrew Bynum playing Orlando's
Dwight Howard to a virtual standstill. Applause please!
We are happy to announce that score was Lakers 97 -Orlando 84. Playing at home helps, no doubt about that, so we now have three days off for some needed rest and practice before playing once more at Staples Center when we meet onward now to the Midwestern state
Minnesota on Friday night.
See you then?
Babs Wells
struck Japan. Thankfully they were evacuated in time and
were led to safety. Kobe's Dad is a basketball coach and
years ago when Kobe was born, they were in Japan - in
Kobe, Japan and hence the name given to him.
Games to play all the same and so we can congratulate ourselves
on the last two being winners. Playing against Dallas, we were
in our element. Again we can thank Andrew Bynum profusely.
He kept his right hand in the air in an exaggerated pose,
turned on his heal and headed for some hearty congratulations
from his Lakers teammates Saturday night. Eleven seconds later,
the Lakers applied the finishing touches on a 96-91 victory over
the Dallas Mavericks, their ninth win in 10 games since the
"All Star" break. They completed a make-or-break trip with
a 3-1 record. What is so astounding now is that the Lakers
have since moved within a half-game of the second place
Mavericks 47-19, in the Western Conference standings.
The teams do play once again on March 31 at Staples Center.
Despite Kobe Bryant's ankle sprain injury, he opted to go
out on the court all the same and play against Orlando Monday night.
With the winning score we got Monday, we now have moved past
Dallas and into second place in the West with that victory.
Nice homecoming, one might say!!!
Although this game certainly did not start out well, we were
sadly behind on the court in the first 1/2 of the game only to
trot back out afterward to play our little hearts out in the
second half! It looked like an absolute onslaught at first
until we finally found our rhythm to gain momentum and
confidence to improve our game. And then here we go once
again lauding our praises on Andrew Bynum playing Orlando's
Dwight Howard to a virtual standstill. Applause please!
We are happy to announce that score was Lakers 97 -Orlando 84. Playing at home helps, no doubt about that, so we now have three days off for some needed rest and practice before playing once more at Staples Center when we meet onward now to the Midwestern state
Minnesota on Friday night.
See you then?
Babs Wells
Friday, March 11, 2011
If at first you don't succeed, try & try again!
Practice makes perfect?!!
Possibly. Kobe Bryant remained on the
floor long after the El Heat beat the Lakers
(barely). He had ball boys with him to give
him the ball when he continued for over an hour
to shoot balls from every angle he could imagine.
The games last three shots, you see, did not do the
Kobe magic as they have done for him in the past.
Pairing off with this Miami team with a constant tie
scoring throughout the entire game, and the final
score giving Miami 94 & Lakers an 88, hurt.
Tough break, but with the Los Angeles Lakers being at
6 ahead at times, it just came down to timing
and the Heat took the win after losing their
last five games prior to playing against the Lakers.
On the other hand, our boys won the last eight
games just before getting that poor score Thursday.
So, lets dwell instead on the game before this last one..
On Tuesday, our Laker team beat Atlanta 101-87.
They looked like the champs that they really are
on the court. The Lakers have changed their method
of operation and defense so good that it allowed them
to be razor-sharp with their intensity high.
At one time the Hawks actually trimmed a 22
point lead down to eight, but our players had
enough brains and brawn to turn the game into
a runaway when it mattered the most.
The ending was nothing like the beginning Tuesday,
when the Hawks chased us all around the Phillips
Arena court and trailed only 29-25 after shooting
60 percent (12 for 20) by the end of first quarter.
Kobe remarked that they started the game hitting
incredible shots & guys that normally shoot low
percentages were instead making them.
Kobe's 3 pointer made it 96-82 with but 3 minutes
and 20 seconds remaining and in all, he made 26 points.
Derek Fisher made 11 points, Lamar Odom scored 12
points and Pau Gasol at 14 points & 11 rebounds.
Now onward and upward to another road game in
Dallas on Saturday and then back home again to
play against Orlando. So, we have more excitement
awaiting us! Are we having fun yet???
Babs Wells
Possibly. Kobe Bryant remained on the
floor long after the El Heat beat the Lakers
(barely). He had ball boys with him to give
him the ball when he continued for over an hour
to shoot balls from every angle he could imagine.
The games last three shots, you see, did not do the
Kobe magic as they have done for him in the past.
Pairing off with this Miami team with a constant tie
scoring throughout the entire game, and the final
score giving Miami 94 & Lakers an 88, hurt.
Tough break, but with the Los Angeles Lakers being at
6 ahead at times, it just came down to timing
and the Heat took the win after losing their
last five games prior to playing against the Lakers.
On the other hand, our boys won the last eight
games just before getting that poor score Thursday.
So, lets dwell instead on the game before this last one..
On Tuesday, our Laker team beat Atlanta 101-87.
They looked like the champs that they really are
on the court. The Lakers have changed their method
of operation and defense so good that it allowed them
to be razor-sharp with their intensity high.
At one time the Hawks actually trimmed a 22
point lead down to eight, but our players had
enough brains and brawn to turn the game into
a runaway when it mattered the most.
The ending was nothing like the beginning Tuesday,
when the Hawks chased us all around the Phillips
Arena court and trailed only 29-25 after shooting
60 percent (12 for 20) by the end of first quarter.
Kobe remarked that they started the game hitting
incredible shots & guys that normally shoot low
percentages were instead making them.
Kobe's 3 pointer made it 96-82 with but 3 minutes
and 20 seconds remaining and in all, he made 26 points.
Derek Fisher made 11 points, Lamar Odom scored 12
points and Pau Gasol at 14 points & 11 rebounds.
Now onward and upward to another road game in
Dallas on Saturday and then back home again to
play against Orlando. So, we have more excitement
awaiting us! Are we having fun yet???
Babs Wells
Monday, March 7, 2011
Remember the Alamo?
In fact in 1836 March 6th the Alamo in
San Antonio, Texas fell to Mexican
forces after a 13 day spree. However, not this
time, as Sunday, our Lakers just swooped
right into San Antonio's AT&T Center
and won big time over the San Antonio
Spurs leaving them in the wake!
Score 99-83. Sad faces those
Texans had .. our 7th winning game
in a row and beating the favored team
in the Western Conference. A real showdown!
Coach Phil Jackson said "We caught them
by surprise"! That Texas team should have
known it was coming though with the result being
the Lakers first victory in three tries this season
against the league leading Spurs.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points as the Lakers snapped
San Antonio's 22-game home winning streak.
March 6th also commemorated former Laker
player Shaquille O'Neal's 39th Birthday.
Another "payback" time was the Charlotte
Bobcats win over them at Staples Center
with score of: Lakers 92 and Charlotte 84.
Yes, they had a big score to settle and a
game to win and win it they did, big time.
They even had to play the fourth quarter
without Derek Fisher on the floor as he had
hurt his elbow earlier and went to the Locker room.
Matt Barnes did not come on to the court either,
although he was dressed to play but his
right knee became numb and they did not feel
it would be safe to put him out with team mates
to play a regular game quite yet. He did play though
for the San Antonio game, by the way.
In some ways Fridays' game seemed like just
another quick visit on the Lakers' seemingly endless
journey around the country since early February. They
played at home for only the third time since Feb. 4th.
They have played 10 on the road.And now they have
to go play the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. They play
Miami Heat after this next game with Atlanta, & then
the Dallas Mavericks. When they return to L.A., they'll
finish the regular season with 11 of 15 games at home.
They so far, have kept their winning streak alive to be
sure, & also kept up the momentum that had been built
coming out of the "All-Star" break.
We're mighty proud of you, Lakers!
Babs Wells
San Antonio, Texas fell to Mexican
forces after a 13 day spree. However, not this
time, as Sunday, our Lakers just swooped
right into San Antonio's AT&T Center
and won big time over the San Antonio
Spurs leaving them in the wake!
Score 99-83. Sad faces those
Texans had .. our 7th winning game
in a row and beating the favored team
in the Western Conference. A real showdown!
Coach Phil Jackson said "We caught them
by surprise"! That Texas team should have
known it was coming though with the result being
the Lakers first victory in three tries this season
against the league leading Spurs.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points as the Lakers snapped
San Antonio's 22-game home winning streak.
March 6th also commemorated former Laker
player Shaquille O'Neal's 39th Birthday.
Another "payback" time was the Charlotte
Bobcats win over them at Staples Center
with score of: Lakers 92 and Charlotte 84.
Yes, they had a big score to settle and a
game to win and win it they did, big time.
They even had to play the fourth quarter
without Derek Fisher on the floor as he had
hurt his elbow earlier and went to the Locker room.
Matt Barnes did not come on to the court either,
although he was dressed to play but his
right knee became numb and they did not feel
it would be safe to put him out with team mates
to play a regular game quite yet. He did play though
for the San Antonio game, by the way.
In some ways Fridays' game seemed like just
another quick visit on the Lakers' seemingly endless
journey around the country since early February. They
played at home for only the third time since Feb. 4th.
They have played 10 on the road.And now they have
to go play the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. They play
Miami Heat after this next game with Atlanta, & then
the Dallas Mavericks. When they return to L.A., they'll
finish the regular season with 11 of 15 games at home.
They so far, have kept their winning streak alive to be
sure, & also kept up the momentum that had been built
coming out of the "All-Star" break.
We're mighty proud of you, Lakers!
Babs Wells
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Five is a good number too!
Winning over Minnesota, our Lakers could
cheer and bring out the champagne!
Score: 90-79. Good game for us.
Playing in Minneapolis at the Target Center,
we picked up the pace in the third quarter
and won. Getting off in the beginning of the
game it was a rocky start with missing 6
consecutive shots and committing three
turnovers, they did not score until there was
7:45 left in the first quarter. This was the 14th.
straight time winning over the Timberwolves.
"Defense is our key", Kobe Bryant said.
Kobe scored a team-leading 24 points.
Pau Gasol made a team-leading 17 rebounds.
The Lakers return home to play against the
Charlotte Bobcats on Friday and then hit the
road again to play against the Spurs on
Sunday afternoon. They will end the regular
season by playing 11 of their 15 games at
Staples Center. The upcoming games other
than against the Bobcats are Atlanta Hawks,
The Miami Heat and The Dallas Mavericks.
The next 5 games are going to be a really
good test so fasten your seat belts, here we go!
Babs Wells
cheer and bring out the champagne!
Score: 90-79. Good game for us.
Playing in Minneapolis at the Target Center,
we picked up the pace in the third quarter
and won. Getting off in the beginning of the
game it was a rocky start with missing 6
consecutive shots and committing three
turnovers, they did not score until there was
7:45 left in the first quarter. This was the 14th.
straight time winning over the Timberwolves.
"Defense is our key", Kobe Bryant said.
Kobe scored a team-leading 24 points.
Pau Gasol made a team-leading 17 rebounds.
The Lakers return home to play against the
Charlotte Bobcats on Friday and then hit the
road again to play against the Spurs on
Sunday afternoon. They will end the regular
season by playing 11 of their 15 games at
Staples Center. The upcoming games other
than against the Bobcats are Atlanta Hawks,
The Miami Heat and The Dallas Mavericks.
The next 5 games are going to be a really
good test so fasten your seat belts, here we go!
Babs Wells
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