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