LAKERS VS. NUGGETS

Well, anybody that saw Friday's game knows
our team was anything but the best. Guess
Drew told the media that "he just plain was
not ready" NOT READY? For a game during the
PLAYOFF'S? What form of thinking and adjustment
is that? Un-real. At age 24, even he ought to
be chastised for that sort of reasoning. At any
rate, yes we lost big time and yes, it was an
embarrassment to players and spectators as well.
"it is just a game"..true, but to not be able
to fend off the really bad decisions made, is
something we never thought possible during a
playoff game. We lost with a score of:
Denver winning with 99 & L.A. losing with 84.
We knew that we would be in that mile high
city for another game on Sunday so at least
could redeem ourselves then, which we were
able to do, gratefully. By Sunday, higher altitude
was a tad easier to handle. Coach Mike Brown
remained affected by it, apparently, but the
players seemed to handle it far better and
in the first quarter, made the very first
2 points for our team. It was a fun game
and a nice way to top off a week-end for all.
Our winning score ended at 92-88. Steve Blake
scored 10 points, including a key 3-pointer
in the final minute as the Lakers overcame a
6-point halftime hole and a 71-70 deficit
heading into the fourth quarter. "This was
fun" Blake stated, "It doesn't get any better
than this. Playoff basketball, this is what
it's all about!" Ramon Sessions scored 12 points
and also had a  big 3 in the final minutes for
L.A. With the game tied at 86, Bryant was being
covered closely when a hard screen from Pau
Gasol sent his opponent to the floor. Kobe worked
the ball to Sessions, whose 3-pointer from just
in front of the Nuggets bench put the Lakers
ahead 89-86 with 48 seconds remaining to play.
All in all, Kobe scored 22 points, Andrew
Bynum added 19 and at 92-88, we have a 3-1 lead
in first-round playoff series. Hoping to wrap
it up on Tuesday night when the series shifts
back again to L.A. Staples Center for game 5.
Keep the faith.
Babs Wells