IT IS MAGIC!!!

Well, a big check to fill out, that is for sure, but the story now is
that the Dodgers were purchased by none other than former Lakers,
"Magic Johnson" and partners, for $2 Billion. Great deal of money
but with that kind of backing, the entire arena and parking plus
adjacent acreage will certainly get a big renovation and the fans
will feel like celebrating. We are happy for them all.
Going into our recent Lakers basketball games, we see a very
noticeable change of pace. Our fellas are picking up speed.
Perhaps the newcomer, Ramon Sessions, is one major cause for this,
and we do see it. Tuesday's game with Golden State Warriors
gave us a winning score of 104-101. Not a big difference in numbers
but we really did not need to be perfect to win over them right now
due to their various injury's. They played without starters Andrew Bogut,
Andris Bierdrins, Stephen Curry, and their back up Nate Robinson.
Being short handed on the courts still showed them to be a team to
contend with all the same. We led by 16 points in the first half but then
tied 95-95 and even allowed them a small lead before Kobe Bryant
made a jump over a double-team to give us a lead with 32.3 seconds remaining.
Pau Gasol added two free throws with 22.4 seconds left.
Kobe scored 30 points in all and Pau had 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Becoming faster and more athletic has changed their game considerably.
Our defense can stand to be far better than it seems to be right now.
Never have I been more proud of our fans than I was last night.
To have our very dear Derek Fisher sent to Houston and then
bought that contract out to go with the OKC Thunder team,
made a most un-easy heartfelt feeling and gut wrenching gnawing.
But the game must go on and it did last eve. On Staples Center court,
our Lakers made their entry and so did OKC and out came #37, Derek Fisher,
former Laker for 13 years. The fans went wild with applause and cheers
and gave this friend of ours a standing ovation. My own heart swelled in pride.
Thanks guys and gals for your loyalties and support.
It was a very strange game to play too. There was a packed house
and Lakers stole the show in the first half with 12 points ahead of our opponents.
We have, however, unfortunately lost 3 of our last 4 games, and last night
in the second half of the game, we lost it too. The ending score was: 102-93.
Our Pacific Division lead now over the Clippers is down to a game and a half.
Thursday's game totaled 15 assists on 35 field goals. Kobe himself
seemed to labor over making only 7 of 25 shots, while scoring 23 points.
With the Thunder scoring the first 12 points of the third quarter, the Lakers
rumbled on but the opposing team were the victors.
The Lakers and Staples Center will now be hosts for back to back games
this coming week end. Saturday near noon, we play against New Orleans
and Sunday's yet another game with Golden State at 4:30.
Suppose we can get better standings soon so that the Clippers won't be nipping at our heals? Hope so!
Babs Wells

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Friday's game played at home went very
well for our Laker team. Our
new point guard, Ramon Sessions,
(pronounced RA/MAHN) is a natural.
Not only is he speedy but he is
sharp in noticing where the ball
is going to be and takes full
advantage of it. He came to us
from Cleveland and has already
been tried as a starter in his
fifth game. Jim Buss made a state-
ment saying that he felt our Kobe
Bryant would be "A Laker for Life".
On Friday they did blow a double-
digit lead but still managed to
score and come out with shining
colors. Our victory over the
Portland Trail Blazers was 103-96.
For some reason on Sunday, playing
against Memphis, also on our own
Staples Center court, Kobe did not
begin the game as a starter.
Even with him scoring 18 points,
and Andrew Bynum scoring 30 points,
we took a loss. Memphis had lost
themselves just the day before
to the L.A. Clippers. A pretty
big loss, actually, 101-85.
Yet, for some reason, we seemed
to not pick it up on Sunday.
We missed our first 7 shots.
Kobe attempted just one shot
in the opening nine minutes,
missing a jumper, before hitting
a 3-pointer from the wing for his
first points. Later, he had a
layup for his only other basket
of the half, shooting 2 of 7. Gasol
also struggled, missing his first
four shots in going 2 of 10 at the
break. His brother, Mark, was on
the winning team this time around.
Final score was: Lakers, 96 &
Grizzlies 102. Did you see in the
newspaper that there was a 1-2-3-4
O.T. played this past wk. with Utah
and Atlanta? Mighty interesting,that is!
Babs Wells

OFF AGAIN, ON AGAIN...

Tuesdays' game with Houston began fairly
well but eventually turned out to be
a game we did not win after all.
Ramon Sessions has turned into being
quite a capable point guard and he
showed us all that he is certainly
up to the task. We dearly miss our
Derek Fisher but find that he has
donned OKC jersey and may very well
be earning yet another ring. It is
so hard losing friends that go on
to play with another team. It is noted
too that he wears #37, (his age).
We see in the news that former Laker,
Ronny Turiaf, (laid up with a broken hand)
is being surrounded by future
Hall of Famers, guys that really
know how to play basketball and be
successful. Dwyane Wade and LeBron
James have evidently reached out
to him and have been urging him
in recruiting calls to play with
them in Miami. To be playing with
the Heat is mighty enticing to him.
A shame that during Tuesdays' game,
by the way, were the 2 technical
fouls that caused Andrew Bynum to
be ejected from the court and un-
able to continue playing.
The fact that defense was lacking
did not help either. He was still
able to score 16 points, had 7 rebounds
but walked off the court without
speaking to reporters. Kobe made
29 points and Pau Gasol had 21 points.
Kobe's broken nose was sore but okay.
Our score at games end was 107-104.
Wednesday's game was quite a different
matter altogether. Seeing Lamar Odom
out on the court playing as our opponent,
Dallas, was a bit difficult. That tall
former Lakers player, number 6 man, re-
mains friends with many of our players
to this day. Number 7 is now being worn by
Ramon Sessions although formerly was worn
by Lamar. Still and all, Wednesday's
game was fun to watch. We won with a
score of: 109-93. Sessions made 17
points, Kobe made 30 points, Pau Gasol
made 27 points on 13-for-16 shooting
and 9 rebounds. Matt Barnes had 11 points
with 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the 3-
point arc. Rather than crumbling, the
Lakers solidified their game and turned
away the Mavericks at every turn down
the stretch. Defense was improved too.
Something of note that caught my eye
might give you some enjoyment as well.
Today I learned of an 104 yr. old woman
living in a So. California Sr. Center
that could easily be myself one day.
Me, at 82 this year, naturally, an article
caught my eye I will share here with you.
This woman loves the color red (me too)
and likes to cook (me too) & puts sugar
on many of her foods (me too) and she
is an avid fan of our Lakers!! She also
used to work at one time in a nursing home.
I was in O.T. at the Motion Picture and
T.V. Funded Hospital in the San Fernando
Valley. She remembers some greats too.
Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, & Karim.
Having been born in Minnesota, I had been
a fan too of the then Minneapolis Lakers.
They moved to L.A. 1962, I moved to L.A. 1965.
This dear lady watches Lakers games with a
huge knowledge of the game and would so
like to see a Lakers game in person. (me too!)
Her name is Allene Wynn. (My middle name
is Wynn )...interesting tid bits, you think?
She will be celebrating her 105th. Birthday
on March 27th & along with her evident
noticeable sense of humor will very likely
find that day full of glee and happiness.
We all wish this wonderful gal a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Babs Wells

FANS TO THE AID OF OUR TEAM

Friday evening posed such a
very interesting game for
our Lakers and The Timberwolves.
My home state of Minnesota
came alive on the court so
our Lakers had to really
become the aggressors. The
transition from having our
Derek Fisher out there as
point guard, lent an entirely
different aura for play.
Ramon Sessions stepped out on
the floor and almost immediately
we came to realize we very likely
had nothing to fear. Speedy and
with sure shots he proved himself
already, so it was with good grace
his co-players heaved a welcoming
sigh of relief. He scored 7 points
on 3-for-6 shooting and also had
4 rebounds and 5 assists in 18
minutes in his reserve role.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points
on 9-for-20 shooting to guide
the Lakers to a season-best 12
games over .500 at 28-16. The
first place Lakers also extended
their lead to 3 games over the
Clippers in the Pacific Division.
Friday nights' final score:97-92.
An entirely different game awaited
us to see on Sunday though. We
played Utah at Staples Center in LA.
Our Masked Mamba had a real effort
to score for some befuddled reason.
Kobe seemed hesitant and "off".
Andrew Bynum was the hero for our
team on Sunday. He scored 33 points
on 12-for-14 shooting while Kobe
made only 15 points. The rhythm
and confidence was missing Sunday.
With 19 victories in 21 games, this
last one seemed perhaps worse than
it really was. Losing to the Jazz
on our own court though, was a tad
embarrassing however we merely need
now to recover and practice for
our upcoming back to back games
being played on the road. Score for
us on Sunday? Utah 103,Lakers 99.
We now are about to play Houston
Tuesday and Dallas on Wednesday.
Anybody can have a bad night so
we are not worrying over Kobe
getting his magic gift of shots
back to wow us once again. Yes,
we wish him well this coming week.
Interesting foot note about what
I had earlier mentioned with two
Ex-Lakers playing here in Antelope
Valley, locally for the boys and
girls club. Cheers went up in the
gym at the Antelope Valley College
Saturday morning as around 300
players and fans gathered to see
A.C. Green and Norm Nixon.
Green, who set the NBA record for
consecutive NBA games played at
1,192, is already the iron man for
the medical group event. He and
Nixon, helped Magic Johnson win
for the Lakers, 4 NBA championships
during the 1980's. So it was with
youthful eagerness these youngsters had
the opportunity to see some former
Lakers greats as mentors. Fun day.
Pau Gasol has been with our Lakers
team, by the way, since the February
1st trade in 2008. He has become
such an asset and we are ever so
pleased that he was not involved
with a trade last Thursday. Obtaining
Ramon Sessions made quite an impact
during his debut on Friday. He is fast
and crafty, Kobe claimed and we all
welcome him to be a big part of the team.
Babs Wells

24+17= WIN 4 US!!

Well, 'tis true, these Lakers
put on quite a show for us as the
viewers and had us in nail biting
times. Kobe and Drew kept us on
our toes for sure and gave all
that they could muster for wins.
Both in Tuesdays' game and also
in Wednesdays' game and both in
overtime to boot! Tuesdays' was
a clincher with a double O.T.
to conquer. Down b y 17 in the
third, Lakers calmly rallied
behind Bynum's 37 and Bryant's
34 in that double overtime.
At one point during the third
quarter, we even trailed by 17
points. Somehow they kept their
cool and calmly and collectedly
surged forward for a 116-111
victory. Both Gasol brothers
were there playing on opposite
teams. After the game, they
went to St. Judes Childrens
Hospital to visit with sick
children. It is where both of
their parents are involved in
working medically. They came
there from their home in native
Spain.
During Wednesday's back to back
game where we played against
the New Orleans Hornets, for a
second night in a row, the Lakers
climbed out of a double-digit
hole in the second half to force
an extra period. We also trailed
once again in the second quarter
by 17 and by 15 in the second half.
Metta World Peace's steal and fast
break layup gave us the lead and
we won again. Score 107-101.
Andrew Bynum added 25 points and
18 rebounds during the game.
Pau Gasol had 18 points and
10 rebounds. Kobe made 33 points.
Still, it is with a sad note to
end here in my article today.
First let me make clear that Derek
Fisher needed 4 points to reach
10,000 for his career going into
Tuesday's game. He reached that
milestone after making a pair of
3 pointers in the first quarter
against Memphis, the second coming
at 5:17 in the period.
And so, with sad heart, we find
that we must bid this dear man
goodbye in playing with our Lakers.
Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant joined
the L.A. Lakers together back in
1996. They have been in the same
backcourt for most of the ensuing
16 seasons, winning 5 NBA titles
during their intertwined careers.
As of Thursday, at noon, this
scenario changed. Derek was traded
to Houston. Ramon Sessions will
be now coming to join our Laker
team. We have grown to love Derek,
a wonderful family man, a good
basketball player, a willing
negotiator, a caring parent
and an overall kind and graceful
person. No, Derek does not know
this writer but yes, I will take
license to somehow put down in
words what Derek has meant to me.
To see him come back to L.A. when
his baby had to undergo surgery
for a cancerous condition of the eye,
and to feel along with him, a parents
grave concern, it is now very difficult
to realize this point guard will be
playing instead, in the Lone Star state.
We wish him well still his shadow out
there on Staples Center court, lingers.
Tonight we play in L.A. without him.
At 7:30, L.A. time, we will cheer for
our Lakers, sans Derek. A game now
against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Babs Wells

WE CAN CATCH 'EM AND WE CAN PASS 'EM !!!

Last two of our Lakers games have been

fascinating to watch. Friday night we
saw our boys beat the Minnesota Timber-
wolves 105-102. It was their 18th
consecutive win over the Minnesota team.
It was most cathartic on many levels.
Above all, it ended their two-game
losing streak and provided some
momentum for going in to Sunday's
game against the Boston Celtics.
Kobe scored 34 points, making four
key free throws in the closing seconds.
Gasol supplied a big block on a Minn-
esota drive to the basket and thus
helped the Lakers remain in a tie
with the Clippers for first place
in the Pacific Division.
Sunday afternoon we played against
the Boston Celtics at Staples Center.
After being tied up many times during the
game, we finally won 97-94.
What was the crucial point in all
of this was right at the very end.
Trusting in a peer to do the right
thing, Kobe gave his blessing to
Andrew Bynum and Drew came through
for us with flying colors.
Nope, not Kobe this time, but in-
stead, it was Drew and he was as
surprised as all the rest of us. He
took the biggest shot of the game
and this 24 year old teammate did
not let anyone down. For the very
first time in his career, he hit a
game-deciding shot to bury the Celtics.
Yes, in that last minute of play, Kobe
gave a thumbs up and smiled and the
game was over with us being the victors.
This memorable play was an eight foot
jump hook and made this matinee game
one for the books. At crunch time the
game was ours for the taking and we did.
A mention ought to be placed here too
about the second annual Health-care
Basketball follies that will be held
locally at Antelope College gym this
coming Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Address is: 4041 West Avenue K
Lancaster CA.
For more information and
details please call: 661-951-3043.
Tickets are $5 per person.
Former L.A. Lakers stars A.C. Green
and Norm Nixon will be making a game
appearance and as it is a charity
event, a three-on-three tournament
involving teams of local health
care professionals, being sponsored
by High Desert Medical Group and
Heritage Health Care, proceeds will
benefit the Antelope Valley Boys
and Girls Club. The first game is
slated to start at 9:00 a.m. after
an introduction and National Anthem,
representatives said, with elimination
rounds taking place through-out the day.
Green and Nixon are scheduled to appear
around noon, so it would be nice to see you there.
Babs Wells

ACHIEVEMENTS

Although our Lakers, while on the
road, lost to Detroit and to D.C.,
there are still so many items of
which to be proud. Of course losses
are hard to get around and we do
realize this, naturally, but the
attitude is also what is so very
important. To watch Kobe come
through with flying colors even
though injured recently and not
complaining, put on his face mask
and met his team out on the court
with such a wining attitude, prompts
us all to re-evaluate our own efforts.
Oft' times we get down and feel like
almost throwing in the towel. The day
is not at all as we'd like it to be.
That is life. That happens. That is
what we then begin to work around.
To see Pau out there with all of his
energies, putting the ball in to the
basket when before it looked like it
was not to be, to watch Drew cozy up
to the basket and with a smile, dunk
that ball again and again, to notice
Derek out there making 3's even after
all the years he has been suiting up
and playing basketball, seeing how
Steve Blake has such drive and purpose.
All of the above and much much more
shows us the determination and caring
our Lakers team puts in to each and
every single game. Yes, there will
be games we will lose but there will
also be many we will win and that
is where attitude comes in for us all.
To now be ready to play Minnesota
next gives us pause to realize that
here is but one more chance to prove
our worth and we, as spectators will
be there too with applause and cheers.
A loss came here too, still in knowing
that the Lakers lads will come bouncing
out onto the court to play yet another
basketball game, makes us smile.
Thank you, each one, for your great attitudes!
Babs Wells

UP..UP..UP..AND AWAY!!!!

kudo's Lakers! Friday's game
and Sunday's game absolutely
terrific and most entertaining!
The mask Kobe had to wear for
his injured nose seemed like
a sauna on him during game-
time with sweat and plastic
sticking to his face, but
one would never know it to
see his playing power. He
scored 31 points in their
win over Sacramento. Their
winning score was 115-107.
It was a sellout crowd at
Staples Center, of 18,997.
They won for the 16th. time
in 18 home games. Home is nice.
Now, their next opponent would
be on Sunday against Miami and
also being played at Staples.
Before reporting on that game
however, let me fill you in
somewhat on their win over
the Minnesota Timberwolves
last Wednesday..This happened
to be their 17th. consecutive
win over this Midwestern team.
The longest stranglehold over
one opponent since they won a
team-record 19 in a row over
the Dallas Mavericks between
1995 and 1999. So let's see
how the game fares in Minneapolis
next Friday and once again too
on March 16th. back in Staples.
And now about Sunday's afternoon
game with Miami. First off, Bosh
was not playing. LeBron James
got into a verbal tussle on the
floor and Metta World Peace
came to the rescue before it
became a hot quarrel. Pau Gasol
even became heated about it too.
Dwyane Wade had already made
his earlier apologies to Kobe
regarding the clip to his face
and head in a previous game
causing Bryant to have a "whip
lash" effect, in his neck, a mild
concussion and his nose broken
by him, though not intentional.
So there they were, once more
in their uniforms with the NBA
game to be played on Sunday.
Well, play they did and tied
several times throughout the
game too but at games' end
we won with the score at:93-83.
Kobe showed his continued great
plays making 33 points. The Miami
Heat had their second lowest scoring
total of the season, some 20 points
below their average of 103.7.
This was an especially important
game for us to win because of the
Heat's four-game winning streak
over the Lakers going into this
Sunday's game. Condolences go
out all the same to Chris Bosh
who just lost his grandmother.
On the road again, we play
Detroit on Tuesday and then have
a back to back game on Wednesday
with Washington and Friday with
Minnesota but on their home court.
Our best wishes go with you all.
Babs Wells

WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN?

Tonto, did you hear me? Oh...right, it is
our Laker star, Kobe Bryant. Having
suffered a mild concussion along with a
nose injury on Sunday at the All Star
Kobe continued to want to play but
found out just hours before last night's
game that he indeed would be allowed
to play however had to wear a protective
plastic mask across his nose.
That seemed not to stop his efforts
by any means. He scored 31 points
in the game last evening against the
Minnesota Timberwolves. Lakers won
104-85. Andrew Bynum made 13 points
and Pau Gasol made another 15
points with 5 rebounds which gave our
Lakers a huge edge in the front
court and exploded it from tap
to buzzer. Two days before Sunday's
game, Andrew had his knee injected
so really only played for the West
All-Stars a few minutes time. Dwyane
Wade, inadvertently knocked Kobe
across the head and nose causing
considerable damage. As Coach
Mike Brown said however, "I have
no explanation for Kobe. I don't
know what he is made of. I am just
glad he is playing for us."
We all must second that thought too.
When Kobe sank 2 free throws to give
the Lakers a commanding 83-59 lead
going into the fourth quarter, it gave
him 24 points plus seven rebounds with
seven assists in 29 minutes over the
game's first three periods against Minnesota.
Lakers led by as many as 27 points
in the fourth quarter.
The deadline for any kind of a trade
deal is set for March 15 so if
NBA commissioner David Stern wants
any revision deal made, it will
have to come during these first
days in March. General Manager
Mitch Kupechak has been considering
Michael Beasley (small forward) from
Minnesota and Dwight Howard (Center)
of Orlando, FL but nothing is firm
at this moment in time.
We play Sacramento on Friday and
against Miami on Sunday. Both games
will be played here in L.A. at Staples.
Sunday's game is early: 12:3o pm.
Good to have our boys home again.
Babs Wells