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