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