KOBE IS BACK!!!

Putting on his work clothes and taking
off his snazzy vest & suit, our star
player resumed his spot with the team.
The Lakers went 5-2 in Bryant's absence.
He watched their games from the bench.
Granted, it was with a coach's eye for
what seemed right and what seemed wrong
as his teammates tried so hard to keep
our Lakers maintaining third place in
the Western Conference standings.
Having the Clippers nipping at our heels,
kept us on our toes with hard won plays.
Sitting out though was killing Kobe, no
matter how well the team performed. Well,
with San Antonio spurs, it did not pan
out favorably for us. Even with the Mamba
trying so hard to fill his role, we lost
the game. Score: 121-97. This loss meant
the second one lost to the Spurs within
a week. The Lakers simply found it too
hard to keep up and lost the game at AT&T
Center. Kobe scored 18 points on 7-for-12
shooting and seemed powerless against our
opponents onslaught. At this point we had
but 2 games left to play in regular season.
Sunday's game was a crunch game and it went
into double overtime to cinch it. Metta
World Peace managed yet again to squelch
his better place with our Lakers. It is
not known exactly what purpose he thought
he was making or even if he intended it,
but throwing his weight into a huge elbow
punch that floored Thunder forward James
Harden did not set well with any who did
witness it and he was ejected for his
blow to James Harden's head. Yes, seeing
the television replays of the incident,
made it really look pretty ugly indeed.
A 21-7 surge after trailing 84-70 with 7:10
left to play, tied the game 91-all.
It was a test of wills and we won the game
finally in double overtime. Score: 114-106.
This game was won with determination and
grit, having no Metta World Peace under the
basket nor Matt Barnes on the floor. Matt
is hobbled by an ankle injury and coach
Mike Brown had Ebanks come in + Jordan Hill.
Gratefully, James Harden did not suffer with
a concussion so we are all very pleased
with that question being answered. Playoffs
are just around the corner but first we
play in Sacramento on Thursday..having
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off.
Before ending this article, I will mention
the one I read concerning a former Laker,
Derek Fisher. He rejected a call from NBA
players' association executive committee
regarding the plea for him to resign as
president, instead urging the players to
seek a review of the union's finances.
Fisher stated he was "extremely disappointed
with the Executive Committee. Their demand
for my resignation and the need to protect
the NBA management and their own best
interests instead of protecting the players
we were elected to represent and serve,
is most unfortunate". Fisher led players
during the negotiations on a new collective
bargaining agreement. A rift between himself
and union executive director Billy Hunter
seemed to develop during the lock-out.
Now, the rift has apparantly peaked with the
executive committee's latest vote. We shall
keep a very close eye on this.
Babs Wells

SPRINKLES AND THEN POPPIES

The Spurs arrived in LA on Tuesday
with the Best Record in the NBA's Western
Conference. San Antonio has some
experience with the NBA-season-on-fast
forward. Last time there was another
lockout back in 1999, they emerged
as NBA Champions. This LA game we
played against them on Tuesday
ranked right up there with teams
that play hard, no matter some of
their own injuries to beat their
opponents anyway. Sure was the
case with us too. We lost 112-91.
Another redemption loomed for our
back to back plays & so on Wednesday
against the Golden State Warriors,
we won eagerly. No, Kobe was not
suited up to play but rather
continued in a sort of coaching
mode from the bench and when asked,
answered that indeed he did hope
to play in Friday's game, once
again with San Antonio.
We won last evening 99-87.
Pau Gasol made a triple-double.
He had 22 points, 11 rebounds,
11 assists and added 3 blocks.
Our two 7 footers, Pau and Andrew
Bynum, gave the Warriors plenty
to worry about. Drew made 23
points & grabbed 6 rebounds.
Lakers were 4-2 without Bryant,
including a victory & a defeat against
the Spurs, going into Wednesday's game
against the Warriors.
Lakers won the first three games against
the Warriors, including one immediately
after Bryant was hurt. The fourth place
Clippers are only 1/2 game behind us.
We are trying our level best to remain
ahead of the Clippers. Both teams have
3 regular season games to play now before
the playoffs begin.
See you tonight for this big game then?
Babs Wells

KOACH KOBE

Lakers coach Mike Brown was absent
during the Friday game against the
Denver Nuggets. Seems our star player
filled in a bit and the players rallied.
Winning games is fun. Pau Gasol made 14
points at Staples Center Friday and had 10
rebounds. Matt Barnes scored 15 points on
6-for-7 shooting in the first half,
including a fade-away jumper at the halftime
buzzer. He also grabbed a team leading 6
rebounds in 13 minutes, 55 seconds, making
him the Lakers most productive player in
the half. Andrew Bynum scored 11 points
in the first half, but faced almost constant
double-teaming defense whenever he caught the
ball in the low post. M. World Peace (AKA) Ron
Artest, stepped into the scoring mold created
by Bryant's absence, making 11 points in the
first half after he had a season-best 26 points
on 10-for-15 shooting Wednesday against
San Antonio. Ramon Sessions was not totally in
the play this game due to a sprained left
shoulder, but he did manage 3 points going
in to the fourth quarter. The Lakers have now
defeated the Nuggets for the 3rd. time in 4
games this season. Our winning score was:103-97.
Sunday noon we watched another home game and this
time with the Dallas Mavericks. We won this game
also and made the 4th. straight win with our
Kobe sitting out on the bench. Granted, he now
is not wearing his "boot" and is finding his
walking has greatly improved but running and
jumping are still activities he needs some
improvement with before suiting up to play.
Sunday's game won in overtime, was one you
would probably have not wanted to miss.
Rivalry was noted through out the entire
game. Andrew Bynum had 23 points, Ramon Sessions
scored 22 points, Pau Gasol made 20 points
and 10 rebounds. Last year, Dallas eliminated
our Lakers and we know we must play as hard
as the last games have been played lately.
Lakers are holding the number 3 spot in
the West playoff picture and the Mavs are #6.
Of course, enthusiasm is building as our
regular season draws nearer to a close
and yes, we do know we will once again be
meeting up with the Mav's in 2 weeks time,
so our efforts remain steady and focused
for winning games." We are of course, excited
about the playoffs, but I suppose we will
continue to have that bitter taste of defeat
in our mouths until then," Matt Barnes said.
He made 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.
In O.T. we did win Sunday, score was:112-108.
Now we have some games coming up that ought
to be fun to play. Tuesdays' game is also
to be played at home against San Antonio
again with a back to back game up at Golden
State on Wednesday before yet another
gum chewing game being played in San Antonio
on Friday. Our work is sure cut out for us!
Babs Wells

THE STARS AT NIGHT ARE BIG AND BRIGHT

When our Lakers decide this nonsense
of losing gets their tempo going,
seems there is almost nothing to stop
them. Our last two games played were
such fun to see. First, last Monday's
game with New Orleans and no, Kobe
was not in his jerseys ready to play
but instead sidelined with a shin
injury causing him to continue wearing
a "Boot" that enabled him to walk about.
He acted as a sort of second coach though
and was directly in contact with each
Laker team member in the huddles too.
He has really been a steadying influence.
While in New Orleans, Pau Gasol had 25
points and 9 rebounds and we won:93-91.
Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Ramon Sessions had 17 points on 5-for-9
shooting plus 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Yes, seems at one point he did jam his
index finger but he is a trooper and played.
Right at the crucial point in this game,
Matt Barnes had 1.2 seconds to make some
decision so he stole, seeing the grounder,
scooped it up and the buzzer sounded. Whew!
Talk around the Basketball circuit is that
our former Laker, Lamar Odom, sent to play
with the Dallas Mavericks has now been cut
to inactive player for the rest of the season.
Appears he has had some personal issues to contend
with but for some reason they did not release
him entirely and the Lakers cannot make a
trade for him unless it is through some deal
in conjunction with the June 29 draft.
Not really knowing any details we shall just
have to wait it out to see what might be
in store for this player voted 6th. man.
And now, our game in the lone star state
of Texas at San Antonio. What a night this
one was! Our players did not let up for
the entirety of the game..being in front
for almost every second and running down
the court like teen agers. Kobe sat on
the bench with a grin so broad it made
any body seeing him smile in return.
We won handsomely with score of:98-84.
Poor Duncan hid his head and dared not
to even watch as the game progressed.
Andrew Bynum made a season record high
of 30 rebounds and a season's best 26
points from M.World Peace (Ron Artest).
San Antonio Spurs, remember, are second
in the Western Conference & not to be
taken lightly, certainly. So for this
winning night, it surely seemed a coup.
Ramon Sessions has exceeded all expect-
taions and with his quiet confidence
showing, has averaged 13.7 points
on 51.5 % shooting in his 15 games
played with us. He has given us all a lift.
And by the way, playoff tickets will go
on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for the
first round tickets sold and only 4
tickets are to be sold per person, per
game. Tickets will not be available at
Staples Center but for additional info.,
call 1-800-4-NBA-TIX (or) go online
at www.ticketmaster.com
Next game coming up will be on Friday
the 13th at home, playing against Denver.
We are on a run!
Babs Wells

SO WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Two losses and our minds are sort
of wandering around in question.
The loss to Houston hurts but not
nearly so for some reason as the
one following it. Andrew Bynum did
not suit up for Houston game as he
had been ejected from play. Without
this center, it made for a most nerve-
jangling fourth quarter in front of
a sellout crowd of 18,997 spectators.
This loss was the Lakers' first in
five games but their second in a row
to the shorthanded Rockets and the
second straight time Bynum had not
been with them. Drawing too many
technical fouls the way he did was
crucial making the Lakers work so.
Bynum finished with 19 points and
7 rebounds in 31 minutes after
scoring 36 points against the
Clippers even with a sprained ankle.
This game he took exception to a
foul by Samuel Dalembert with but
1:18 left in the third quarter and
had to be restrained by teammates.
He got a technical foul and then
with 11:17 left in the game after
hitting a hook shot off to the
Houston bench on his way downcourt.
We lost that game needless to say.
Score was: 112-107.
Then came the game with Phoenix.
During this game, Kobe Bryant
sat out fully clothed and watching
his buddies closely. He has been
a rock leading his team down all
several kinds of bumpy roads. He was
sidelined for the first time in
139 regular-season games for a
left shin injury. He had been
wearing a sort of boot and limped
without it on. In fact, it is even
a bit uncertain whether or not he
will be able to play in tonight's
game in New Orleans.
Kobe averages a league-leading 28.1
points per game and is a leader
the other players really seem
to need to spur them on to win.
Devin Ebanks was on the roster though,
and played this game against Phoenix.
He was averaging only 2.3 points
before, but then surpassed his
career high of 9 points by scoring
10 on 5-for-8 shooting in almost
19 minutes in the first half against
the Suns. He finished with 12 points
on 6-for-11 shooting in 33 minutes.
Pau Gasol scored a season-high 30
points. The Lakers end their 3-game
trip away from home Wednesday at
San Antonio. The Suns lost to
the Nuggets in Denver but shredded
our Lakers after the first quarter
on Saturday.Phoenix scored easily
on pick and roll plays set up by
point guard Steve Nash and his
backup, Sebastian Telfair and we
lost the game with score:125-105.
Wondering how Kobe is doing when
he does not have his boot on to
ease his shin pain. We shall have
to wait it out to see just how
this Monday game fares tonight.
Babs Wells

L.A.'S BEST

Any question? Our Lakers have shown
their worth and strutted their stuff!
Both Tuesday's game & Wednesday's game
were super and we cannot help but to
gloat just a bit. Unable to put Drew
out on the court due to his injured
ankle, the team fought hard to do
their level best for winning and win
they did. For awhile it was an uncertain
situation but then Kobe made a late
3 pointer. Over all, he made 24 points.
The Center was packed to the hilt and
the crowd, happy for the outcome.
No, the Lakers have not exactly
thrived after building comfortable
leads this season. For instance, they
barely survived against the Warriors
and the Hornets, winning by eight
against Golden State and by 3 against
New Orleans, so playing this game
without the tall 7 footer Drew, was
not the ideal situation. Josh McRoberts
started to replace Bynum for this game
with Pau Gasol shifting to center from
being power forward. Actually, this play
has been almost standard operating
procedure for the Lakers whenever needed.
Pau scored 18 of his 22 points in the
first half,when the Lakers dominated.
Pau also had 12 rebounds. Ramon Sessions
recorded his second double-double in 3
games making 19 points and 11 assists.
Score at games end was: Lakers 91 & New
Jersey 87. Also playing on Staples
court for following night with Clippers
hosting, brought both teams out for
some good practice before Wednesday's
game. With Andrew Bynum's "go ahead"
signal by Athletic trainer Gary Vitti,
allowed a loud sigh of relief to all.
Calling it the battle of L.A. may be
a bit harsh, but it has been pretty
much owned by the Lakers rather than
too much worry over the Clippers, even
with them having won their last 6 games.
There are 16 championship banners in purple
and gold pinned to the wall as testimony
to the Lakers team dominance in the NBA.
There really is nothing of note to indicate
the Clippers even play at Staples Center.
Our Wednesday night winning game gave us the
score of 113-108, & showed all that our team
is nothing to fret over too much in losses.
It was a bone of contention when Blake
Griffin angered Pau however, by whacking
him in the head. Then later Blake shoved
him from behind causing a collision at
baseline right into some of the photographers.
Drew scored 29 points on an 11-for-18
shooting in the first three quarters and
Kobe added 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
Evidently Drew's beforehand sprained left
ankle was of no concern for him and
even though there was a little soreness,
it did not hinder his playing on Wednesday.
Another two evenings of back to back play
are coming up. Friday we play Houston at
home and Saturday we play the Suns in Phoenix.
Have your protein drinks and join us then?
Babs Wells

FROM ZERO TO HERO

Yes, 'tis true my friends. Our Kobe
missed 15 shots on Saturday afternoon's
game against the New Orleans Hornets.
One shot after another, after another,
after another and none of them connected
for him. Truly an "off day" but then,
Wait!!! With only 20.2 seconds on the clock,
Kobe decided quickly to try his luck again.
This time, he sank a 3-pointer and we won
the game with score of 88-85. Thrilling
ending to the fourth quarter, to be sure!
Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 21 points.
He had 11 rebounds too and Andrew Bynum
made 19 points, 10 rebounds with Ramon
Sessions adding 10 points and 10 assists.
One of the neatest aspects of Saturday's
game however, was a little old lady
in a wheel chair watching it all. Do you
remember me mentioning this woman that
has lived for 105 years? (She was but 5
when the Titanic sank!) and is an avid
Lakers fan. Her name again, is Allene Wynn.
As a guest, she was able to take in this
afternoon game and be right there for her
favored Kobe Bryant. What a great time
she must have had watching the game in
person. So much fun hearing of this too!!
Back to back, we played on Sunday again.
This time, against the Golden State Warriors.
Andrew Bynum injured his left ankle so had
to exit the courts to get an x-ray on it.
Grateful to say, he will be alright and
he suffered only a slight sprain.
Sessions, Gasol, Murphy, Barnes, Kobe,
Blake, MWP, each, stepped up to the plate
and filled in with mighty good playing so
that the crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center
were able to see a very worthwhile game.
We won 120-112 as Kobe cinched 40 points.
Murphy had 8 points and 11 rebounds. Gasol
added 26 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
Sessions had his best game ever so far and
made 23 points plus 9 assists. The entire team
pulled their own individual weight and made
up the slack when Bynum was forced to leave.
Our next game is set for Tuesday (also at
home) with a back to back game at home but
hosted by the L.A. Clippers team. Now that
ought to be a really fun-filled game to see!
Meet you at Staples.
Babs Wells