ONE HALF GAME CUSHION

The Lakers have looked tired so many of

the times when playing their games.

Hopefully they can find some way of

getting out of their slump before it

really is too late for being able to make

it to the playoffs. Would hate to even

consider that a possibility.

The Lakers loss to Washington a week

ago gave coach D'Antoni some very

worried comments to make. Although

not speaking with too much venom,

he did make some very bold statements

concerning our getting into the playoffs.

After losing to the Wizards, he mentioned

most of his comments of maybe not even

making it this year to get into the playoffs.

Yes, he said, "we are all getting angry and

realize we surely need to be doing

a far better job on the courts". Then once

again, another loss to Golden State, losing

this game by 6 points. As it is beginning

to appear, #8 is not looking too great for L.A.

At Oracle Arena, our Lakers dropped their 

third consecutive game and had only a one-

game lead over the Utah Jazz (35-36) for the

eighth seed. Their win against the Minnesota

Timberwolves gave cause to cheer. Score: 120-117.

As an example, Kobe Bryant has consecutively

beaten Minnesota 22 times for his record victories.

He had 31 points in this game and 7 assists.

Filling in for injured Metta World Peace and in

doing so, extended the longest active winning

streak against one team in the NBA. As it stands

right now, Ron Artest (AKA M.W.P.) had surgery

on a torn meniscus (left knee). While holding onto 

their spot it became quite evident being just

one game ahead of Utah and Dallas tempers

have shown a posturing of concern and

worry. It might be warranted in the fact we have

now lost also to the Milwaukee Bucks. Last nights'

game began with thoughts of winning, certainly,

keeping ahead of the opposing team by several

points but just at half time it was a different story.

The standard now has fallen so low as to amount

to a championship roster that might be asking far

too much for our Lakers to win. For 64 seasons,

we have shown our pride and our steadfastness

and now with aggresivness and connection

seemingly lost, we note having but a half game

cushion in our favor. The outlook is ever so grim.

Final score last night was Milwaukee 113 and

Lakers 103. The fact that Steve Nash suffered

with back spasms, he sat out in the 4th. quarter.

But seeing the other members on our team run

out of steam and playing slower really is showing

our age a bit. Kobe now claims to have a bone spur

in his left foot and still is doctoring some for his

sprained left ankle. Will he be suited up for the

game Saturday against Sacramento? We shall see.

Question is, can we fix whatever is wrong and win?

Babs Wells

NO KOBE AND NO PAU

The playing field was similar, but on

the court we missed two very crucial

players. Sunday's game seemed to

fare quite well but in Phoenix? Not so.

Jamison and Dwight Howard really

were needed and stood their ground.

Sunday, the Lakers offense literally

included everyone, from a sharpshooting

Antawn Jamison (27 points on 8 of 14 

shooting), a surprisingly efficient Metta

World Peace (22 points on 10 of 13

shooting,) a balanced Steve Nash (19 

points, and 12 assists), a very aggressive

Steve Blake (16 points, with 8 assists),

along with a seemingly dominant Dwight

Howard (12 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks).

Our game plan worked and it put us in

the 8th playoff spot and over Utah in the

Western Conference. Score? Lakers:113 Kings:102.

Scenario altered for last nights' game against

Phoenix Suns. Weariness, certainly, entered

into our plays. Playoff attention now is not good.

Having three days between games, will not

hurt. Sore muscles and tired legs can get a rest.

Big loss in Arizona..Lakers 76, Suns 99.

Faster paced team and they did outplay us.

With our playoff hopes hinging on every single

game, the big picture does not erase the

short term pain.

Teammates gave Earl Clark the nickname of

"Easy"...both for his laid back attitude and how

he quickly assumed a reliable role during this

stretch when our Lakers have suffered injuries.

"I really don't care which position they have me

play" Clark remarked. "I just want to play".

It seems coach D'Antoni will still be planning

on featuring Clark heavily in his rotation

of players. Staples Center will find us playing

again on Friday when we host Washington Wizards. 
Injuries lessened, let's win this one!?!

Babs Wells

AN ANKLE RANKLE

We won our games, we relished in our glory.

We went off the courts happy and satisfied.

We ought to have done so, of course.

Our winning the game in Orlando was

a necessary win and one we all felt quite

confident we would win. The "Boo's" given

to Dwight Howard in the earlier minutes

of our Lakers playing, lent furrows of the

brow but some encouraging signs of the

"Welcome back" type were nice to see.

We won with the score of 106-97.

The smiles and the back pats show us

all the confidence restored and the feelings

of a unified team which we know is part

and parcel of a team that wins games.

And so, winning our fourth consecutive

game is an eagerness we all feel & is an

insight as to what we really can accomplish.

The Lakers won mainly because of Howards

contributions. His play helped us absorb

a poor shooting night from Kobe who posted

11 points on 4 of 14 shooting while Dwight

dominated on both offense and defense.

Bryant meanwhile stated that he was a bit 

worn out and said his body was tired and sore.

Perhaps this is one reason his stance was off

a little when he made the jump in last night's

game in Atlanta. He came down very hard on

his foot and sprained an ankle. In pain, he

did make it back to the bench on his own accord.

Still nearly tying with the Hawks so that a win

was still barely viable, would have been great but

evidently not in the cards. They won with the score

showing us very plainly Hawks 96 and Lakers 92.

Doggone it, huh? But the worst part is that with

Kobe injured, conjecture is  whether or not Kobe

will be able to still play for Friday's game or even

in Sunday's or Monday's games coming up?

We can only hope his injury heals quickly.

Sunday we play at home in Staples so at 

least that is somewhat of a break. Keep posted.

Babs Wells

AND IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE.....!!!

Well fans, our Lakers have come back to us in

fine form. We won yet again and showed the

Chicago Bulls the Bull pen and then some.

The new name for Kobe Bryant on the circuit

seems to be "Vino" and the team is having fun

with his new moniker. Kobe again enjoyed his

freedom to share the ball more this last game.

Steve Blake, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and

Metta World Peace seemed to be taking turns

strutting their stuff. In fact a quote from Howard

is "Right now I am just playing carefree" and  

"When you are winning then every body is happy"

(All too true). The black vest/shirt he is sporting

underneath his jersey is a medical device actually.

When his muscles are strained, it strains along

with him to lend more support and it was designed

for injured sports players so was approved to wear.

He is now beginning to become his own person and

going back to play in Orlando will be quite a hard

thing to do. Awhile ago it might have been a bit

destructive for his wellness, but now even with some

boo's thrown in we all believe he will be able to

remain constructive and not let that govern his

plays. The team certainly seems to be getting better

and it shows that they feel more together.

During this last game, Chicago only shot 37.1 %

from the field and the Bulls were without Derrick Rose.

He has been out with an injured left knee. Also

Taj Gibson has been out with an injured left knee

as well. Richard Hamilton has suffered with his

lower back and Kirk Hinrich has had a bad right foot.

All in all, the Bulls had been in a quandary regarding

injured players. So not everything remained very pretty.

Yes, our Lakers have looked strong, allowing them to

walk off the court happy with the direction in which

they now appear to be headed.

Let us all wish them well along this happier road.

Babs Wells

THE LORD LOOKED DOWN AND BLESSED

Even writers can goof..sorry about that yesterday.

Mispelled it...oooops! Supposed to be Ides of March.

Ides being the 15th of March so am early anyway.

Last evening was scarey and then turned into fun.

Jerry Buss would have enjoyed that game ever so.

Our Lakers fumbled at first and gave us the worry

lines certainly and then awoke and Kobe made 42

points. Player Dwight Howard completely came alive.

World Peace scored 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting.

He twisted an ankle but played all the same and

received an MRI after an X-ray following the Lakers

loss Tuesday so had his ankle tape wrapped for ease.

With Houston's loss, the Lakers are now only 2

games behind the Rockets for the 7th seed.

Games like the one played last evening really do

strengthen the bond between the players. Yes

there is adversity, but what is important is being

able to stick together. Of course a great win

improves the bottom line results too. The Utah Jazz

lost Tuesday to Cleveland and now the Lakers trail

by only 1 1/2 games for the 8th and final Western

Conference playoff spot.

Coach D'Antoni was certainly mighty glad of our

win against New Orleans and claimed "Now it will

be a really nice ride back home"!

Kobe scored 18 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter.

The final score was: 108-102.

Way to go guy..Following two games will be played

at home. Toronto on Friday and Chicago on Sunday.

Keep up the pace please!

Babs Wells

OH, THE EIDES OF MARCH !!

Well, falling a bit short of .500, our Lakers

made a fairly good showing all the same

last evening playing in Oklahoma City.

Seems our former Laker player, Derek Fisher,

was given a standing ovation from the

spectators when he got out on to the

floor now playing for OKC Thunder.

Pau is still in the wings since his injury

and our star player, Kobe Bryant had

an arm injury during the game. He had

to go out to the locker room and get

some ice on it plus a newer bandage but

being the warrior he is, came right back

out once again to play even though it

was quite a strain. Noticed he managed with

use mostly of his good left arm instead.

Our Lakers are still 2 1/2 games behind

the Utah Jazz for the 8th playoff spot.

They remain 3 games behind the Houston

Rockets for the 7th seed.

Dwight Howard continued to play but having

foul troubles and his shoulder bothering him

somewhat. He has a great mentor we understand

in former Lakers coach, Phil Jackson.

A footnote to read today is that the Lakers will

play two exhibition games next season in China.

They will be playing against Golden State in

Beijing on October 15 and Shanghai October 18.

Tonight Lakers play in New Orleans and Friday

at home in Staples Center against Toronto

as well as on Sunday vs. Chicago on  home court.

Best of luck fella's.

Babs Wells