STORIES TELL ALL

First of all, we lost the last 4 games in our PLAY OFF

Series to San Antonio. Injuries came into our team's

locker room to undermine us and deter our intentions.

When Dwight Howard was ejected during this very

last game played on Sunday, it seemed as if it was  

rejection of us as a team along with the ejection and

was very likely to be the last straw. Emotions ran

high but the crowd just cheered and clapped when

our star player, Kobe Bryant came limping out on

his crutches. Needless to say, our disappointment

was rampant and our emotional state most grim.

To say we tried, is fair but about all that really

can be claimed at this sorry hour of Play off games

is the bench came in to attempt to rescue us and

even with their exceptional talents, it was plainly

not enough to keep us from defeat. Another

season awaits us and hopefully far more injury

free for our main players. An upside-down past

year has put us in a most vulnerable situation.

We are proud of our team and we played hard

but it just simply was not enough. Yes, we did

have an enormous promise of Bryant, Steve

Nash, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol as pillars

of a Championship as contenders, yet this

last weekend it all crumbled for the Finale.

We shall continue this blog from time to time

with various and sundry writings. Again

in the fall, season begins for us but for right

now we bid you adieu. 

God Bless.

Babs Wells

PLAYOFF GAMES CONTINUE

Even without some star players, our Laker

team practiced, played and made the bold

attempt to win, but so far just not so.

Two games lost in San Antonio..home of

the famous Alamo and beautiful river walk.

Then back home last evening with out

Steve Blake, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash

and a hurting Metta World Peace (a drained

knee cyst). At second half, he was unable

to give the game his all so Goudelock

and Pau Gasol did their level best to do

their job without the backing of our star

players. The final chapter of a bizzare 

season that never really was, could be

written on Sunday in game 4 at Staples.

All of this sadness happened upon such

a happy day otherwise for this writer.

Becoming a Great grandma for the 3rd.

time within a 2 year period (all girls!)

and the information that yet another

tiny bundle will appear for us to have

within our family circle this November

is almost too much joy to handle well!

We found out too that our heart problem 

grandson has been monitored and doing

well his cardiologist tells us, for now.

Loss of a daughter last June and the

sorrow it caused us all, is now allowing

us to be ever so joyous over new babes.

Thank you for letting me share with you.

Back to the basket ball courts. An MRI taken

Thursday afternoon revealed Meeks has

a partial ligament tear in his sprained

left ankle. It is unlikely that he will be able

to play this coming Sunday for game 4.

Playoff Game number one: San Antonio

scored 91 and Lakers 79, final score.

Playoff Game number two: San Antonio

made 102, while Lakers had 91.

Playoff Game number three: San Antonio

final number was 120, while Lakers? 89.

Now the game being played in Staples Center

this coming Sunday is at 4:00 p.m. and

will be of utmost importance. We'll all watch!

Babs Wells

NUMBER ONE: PLAYOFF GAMES

The T.V. timeouts during the Playoff games

allows us to sit back and consider just how

our Lakers might manage without their

star player, Kobe Bryant. Yes, he uses the

texts to view his thoughts and game plans

but it just is not the same. Kobe, sidelined 

now due to a recovery period that will range

anywhere from a 6 to 9 month time frame 

healing from an Achilles heel tendon

surgery, will certainly have his thoughts

known. His injury took place earlier this month 

late in the Golden State game.

His foot will be immobilized for about a

month to prevent him from stretching out the

tendon, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation

process. Kobe, the warrior, has taken the

challenge and now it is up to the remainder

of the team to come to the courts ready to

unite and play well and allow us all to see

their more forceful 4 quarters outcome.

We are all wondering just how they might

sustain this during the playoff games.

Role players such as Steve Blake and Antawn

Jamison have elevated their scoring punches.

Gasol and Howard will certainly be facing

far more double teaming now and they need

to more consistently hit their outside shots.

Facing San Antonio is indeed a worry for us.

We lost the first round and on Wednesday

we play them once again. Earning this

7th place seed match-up with San Antonio,

Lakers won 5 straight games to close the

regular season, including a 91-86 victory

without the black Mamba, beating San Antonio.

We now have dropped game one to the Spurs.

Thinking that we did have the game won,

we closed within 4 points midway through the

3rd. quarter Sunday. However, we lost it anyway.

Nothing seems to have gone according to plan

ever since D'Antoni took over the coaching of

our Lakers team. It is now 5 months later and

we see even the reunion with Nash has not 

enabled us to restore "Showtime". The more

methodical and grinding pace we have endured,

seems to be extremely challenging and Nash's

soreness in his right hamstring is just not

going away. Our 91-79 game loss on Sunday

proves the points made and is a visual reminder

that we are watching the struggle yet hope for

more wins than losses in games to come.

Wednesday our team will suit up so we'll see

just how much we can begin now to clean up.

Babs Wells.

L.A. PROUD AND TRUE - ALTHOUGH OUR HEARTS ARE IN BOSTON

So often in sports, we take sides and we nourish a

team in our hearts and in our thoughts for the ones

we feel the closest to. No matter whether it be 

Hockey, Soccer, Football, Baseball...even Basketball, 

surely. So in doing this, we negate some others 

for various and sundry reasons. 

Boston Celtics with their green uniforms,

we haven't felt kin to, yet watching on T.V.

of the disaster at the Marathon's finish line with 

the destruction and mayhem that took place,

as Americans, we are all within the confines of

brotherhood to embrace Boston in our prayers.

Now on to the NBA ending season..our own Kobe

Bryant had surgery for his Achilles heel and was

sidelined for the last two games. Games that his

teammates took to their own hearts for game

plays to deal with as a unified team, while they came

together with that frame of mind to win both games.

Steve Nash was not able yet to play either 

and so the team gathered strengths as they 

played and played well. We are ever so

proud of you all. A season ending injury such as 

what Kobe has experienced allows us all to rethink

options. Through 7 games in April, the Lakers'

output from both Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol,

represent their highest all season (Howard: 21.6

points) and (Gasol: 17.6 points). They routinely

look for each other on lob passes and post-ups.

This was ever so noticeable during this last game

against the Houston Rockets. With the score - in

overtime, of: 99-95, the Lakers victory cinched them 

to land at 7th place seed. Utah lost their game so now 

we have not had to take a back seat and that is just

fine with all of us. Dwight Howard made 16 points

with 18 rebounds. Steve Blake scored 24 points

while Pau Gasol added his 7th. career triple-double

and the L.A. Lakers secured the seventh playoff slot

in the Western Conference. We applaud you all and

knew you would not let us down. On to the Playoffs!

Babs Wells

THANK YOU TEAM AND THANK YOU FANS

With no Steve Nash or the Mamba on the floor

to play against San Antonio last night, many of

us came to the table worried somewhat and

said a silent prayer that our team members

would fill in the gaps and come in playing

hard and well and as a team unit. Well, we

need not have worried. Also the fans were

in fine force with signs of goodwill and a

show of faith in Pau, Metta World Peace.

Steve Blake, Dwight Howard, Jamison,

Meeks, Earl Clark and Morris. We were

on fire to win and win we surely did.

There were so many times during the

game however when it was tied so it

did make for a very different kind of

game to watch. Ending score was:

91-86. I guess it could be called a

rather patchwork Lakers lineup but

granted, they saw the challenge and

did what they have been trained to

do...to Win!. Cheers arose through

out the stands and banners of 

Get Well Wishes were seen for both

Steve Nash and our warrior and trooper,

Kobe Bryant. Bitter tasting to be sure,

just at season's ending before playoffs,

to be hindered in such a painful way.

But we do, all wish him the very best

and hope and pray the healing process

will be quick so recovery happens by

the time training begins in October.

Thank you guys for a great game and

keep that winning attitude for this last

game against Houston. We think you

can do it!

Babs Wells

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

This is a very special article today so please

bear with me. Not only did our Lakers

win the last two games played, (namely

Portland and Golden State) but today 

my grandson, Jason, (through his work

as an LVN) had the opportunity of putting

on a Jersey and playing basketball too!

A writers' license now and again is to include

other material as one see's fit to...enclosed picture

will fill you in somewhat on all of this.

Way to go Jason! Looking pretty good!!!

Dwight Howard was not all too happy with

obtaining a split lip and having to get 3

stitches taken for it so we wonder just how

he will deal with this at any future games

but hopeful winning will be the uppermost

thought rather than any forms of revenge.

Jordan Hill was re-evaluated. As a reserve

forward, we all  hope for a possible return

from his surgically repaired left hip injury.

He actually had appeared in 29 games

averaging 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds

in a given period of 15.8 minutes time.

Sad to report our Kobe Bryant was taken off

the floor at Staples Center right at the very

end of the game with only 3:06 left on  the

clock yet we did in fact end up winning the

game all the same with score of:118-116.

Bryant will undergo an MRI to see about

the injury to his Achilles tendon that forced

him off the floor on Friday night.

His teammates filled in the gaps and 

Dwight Howard along with Pau Gasol,

made sure their efforts were enough to win.

Pau's 26 points and 11 rebounds plus 10 assists

made for a crucial triple-double to keep LA one 

game ahead of Utah for the final playoff spot

in the NBA's Western Conference, with 2 games

remaining. This will be rather rough going.

All being played on home court however. So now

the big question is, can we stay one game up

against the Utah Jazz? Closing ranks when it

is needed is the big apparent topic of the day.

Are we up to it with Kobe maybe off the roster?

We shall see, friends, we shall see.

Babs Wells

Jason and Michael Cooper

Drafted out of New Mexico by the Lakers in the 3rd round of the '78 NBA Draft, "Coop" became an integral part of the Lakers team in the 80's with his defensive skills. In a 12 year career, he was name to 8 NBA All Defensive Teams, including 5 First teams. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987. He, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, was a member of five Lakers Championship teams in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. 

GOOD NEWS TO REPORT

Our Kobe Bryant surprises us all and probably

himself as well as the Lakers reclaim the 8th

spot and beat the New Orleans Hornets in

Tuesday's game. Metta World Peace even

suited up and worked through his recovering

miniscus knee surgery. Knowing we have

had a rough year, it was evident we needed

winning games in order to make it to the

playoffs. Bryant scored 28 points, Antawn

Jamison made 14 points and broke an

84-84 tie with a 3 point play. Confidence

was the key word as Earl Clark, Steve

Blake and Jodie Meeks came off the

bench to bring us victory. Score: 104-96.

Last nights' game, played back to back

and a road game besides, had us behind

at half-time. Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant

stood firm and turned an "iffy" situation

into a winning game. The last of this

years' season is looking so much better.

Kobe alone, made 47 points! Winning

over the Portland Blazers at the Rose

Garden, showed the fans to keep the

faith. Pau himself, made 23 points.

So now, we do have a 1 game

advantage over the Utah Jazz (41-38).

With three games yet to play, the

Western Conference at least is looking

a bit brighter for us to be in a play-off spot.

Dwight Howard came forward making 20 

points and 10 rebounds. Our win was

earned, certainly, with score of: 113-106.

Coming up it is not a total joy ride, playing

against Golden State, San Antonio and 

Houston. Each of these teams are play-off

bound. We will be finishing the season

with all three games at home. Stay well fellas!

Babs Wells

TWO STEVE'S WITH LAKERS

Winds out of the north to contend with

here in then Antelope Valley today as I sit

down to type. Must be around 60 MPH.

Trash cans skitter on down the street.

Noises of  (what?) hitting the house.

But....enough wool gathering. Yes!

We beat the Memphis Grizzlies.

Steve Blake on the floor and Steve Nash

still out with his hamstring nagging him.

Two Gasol's on the floor however. Pau

got knocked in the face even at one

point by his brother Marc on a dive

for the ball. It was a mighty close

game with ending score of: 86-84.

Kobe Bryant made 24 points and had

nine assists. Pau Gasol added 19 points

and Dwight Howard hit a free-throw

with 4.1 seconds left for the Lakers.

In fact, he had 9 points and 10 rebounds,

while Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison each

contributed 13 points. Metta World Peace

is still out of commission. The two teams

traded the lead down the stretch of a tense

4th. quarter. Pau went for a driving layup

with 1.36 then to play, with Lakers back

ahead and Howards' one free throw it did

the trick and we won. Not so on Sunday

however. Playing at noon, the Clippers

have sailed away with first Pacific title.

Our Lakers now have surely taken a huge

hit. A changing of the guard so to speak.

The Clippers played well but now our Lakers

are no longer in the 8th place seed.

We have taken a dive and landed in 9th place.

Fatigue may have played a part and injuries

to players most certainly did as well.

So now the Utah Jazz (41-37) have the edge

over the Lakers (40-37) and the one main item

to mention is that now the Clippers have swept

the edge over the regular-season series

with the Lakers for the first time since the

1974-75 season when they were the

Buffalo Braves..Sunday's score was:

Clippers 109, Lakers 95. Up next is the

game set for Tuesday vs. New Orleans.

This game is to be played on home court

at Staples Center. Rest up..play hard guys!

Babs Wells

NUMBER 34 JERSEY NOW RETIRED

Steve Nash is hurting with muscle spasms in

his thighs and lower back. We used to note

this happening too while he was playing with

the Phoenix Suns so it is not without any sort

of worry as he will return when he feels his

body is able to play. Winning the game anyway

with out his help while in playing the Sacramento

Kings last Saturday and winning the game.

Now Steve's hamstring is bothering him we hear

though so he was not out on the court last evening

Staples Center full as Shaq was honored during half time.

Seeing the Dallas team sporting long beards, gave

us the impression that Texas thought having extra

body hair may help with their score but was not

the case, as Lakers won easily. Score: 101-81.

Nice, mighty nice. Kobe made use of his many talents.

His shots were true and many as he seemed to be

always in control. Pau helped the team when ever

he was allowed under the basket and Steve Blake

filling in for point guard did his damage against

our opponents too. During half time, Kobe gave

a pre- recorded Congrats. message to Shaq as he

stood by the microphone with his Mother and

his 6 children. Smiles all around as Jeanie Buss

gave the signal to count down while the jersey

Shaq had worn during his well earned honors

and noted by the fans, cheers were sounded and

the #34 jersey came into view. Phil Jackson took

the mike and thanked everyone for all of the

past fun and glories they all had in the past.

Jerry Buss was missed and the fans were ever

so happy to see his name come up often during

the accolades given Shaquil O'Neal. Tall and 

full of smiles, Shaq acknowledged them all and

even had audience with long time Laker fan

and good cheer leader himself, Jack Nicholson.

Really a great night. Thank you Lakers for it all.

Friday there will be another game to watch now.

Babs Wells