NEXT MONTH IS OCTOBER!!!!!

We have been most patient both in awaiting

the exhibition games as well as the regular

season. Eight games for exhibition games

taking us through to October 25th and the

regular season beginning October 29th.

Although Kobe Bryant took the chance of

jumping feet first off the high dive, he still

is about 75% covered with the damage that

took place on his Achilles heal and tendon.

The Lakers athletic trainer Gary Vitti tells

us he is still mending so he will not begin 

actual court playing until he is up to full weight

bearing running on a treadmill. Training camp

starts this coming Saturday, September 28th.

It is safe to pencil Bryant out for part of training

camp although it is unclear if he could catch the

tail end of the Lakers 8 exhibition games or not.

The Lakers have now officially signed second-

round draft pick with Ryan Kelly. Trainer Gary Vitti

going into his 30th year with this organization,

claims that this past year has been one of his toughest

years other than when they learned that Magic Johnson

told us all that he had been tested positive with the 

HIV virus. Vittis' expertise in determining when and 

who ought to play with injuries says that the Lakers 

roster missed a combined 184 contests. 

He himself has been in the winning of 8 championship rings 

in 12 NBA Finals appearances. This last year he merely 

chalked it up as "a lot of bad luck". 

Along with that, when we lost Jeanie and Jim Buss's Dad, 

the late J.Buss Sr, there was a real rift between two of the 

children, namely Jeanie Buss and her brother Jim. 

The talk earlier had been that the former Phil Jackson 

would return to coach our Lakers when Mike Brown left 

but somehow it got confused so Jim decided that he would 

instead hire Mike D'Antoni to coach. It left quite a bad feeling

evidently amongst the siblings, Jeanie, Johnny, and even

others, namely Joey, Jesse and Janie Drexel. It appears

some of the tension has lessened now so that with the

new season upon us, and the engagement announced

for Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss, the so called rift

is termed as history. General Manager Mitch Kupchak

is suggesting eagerness for another NBA season to start.

Still, there seems to be no time-table on whether Kobe

Bryant will rehab his Achilles tendon in time for the

Lakers' season opener on October 29th. That is where

it is being left for now. Keep the faith and even though

at age 35, Kobe will do his level best to play, he has always

said he wants to retire wearing the Laker uniform!

Babs Wells

TWO MENTIONS TODAY

Our Lakers have added a free-agent guard.

His name is Xavier Henry. The team is allowed

15 or 16 players on their roster and with Henry

coming in, it gives them 14 players. Terms of the

deal were not immediately available. It is likely

that this new player's contract is a one-year deal.

We have also recently added small forward Shawne

Williams and Elias Harris as partially guaranteed

deals. It is speculated too that a second-round 

draft pick with Ryan Kelly could be a possibility.

Right now he is rehabilitating from foot surgery

he had in April. All in all the Lakers are planning

on having anywhere between 18-20 players to fill

out their training camp roster, including Marcus

Landry who led the Lakers' Summer League team

in scoring, so we are keeping then, between 13-15

players for playing, most likely.

There was a force in pro basketball that we just

learned has died at age 73. His name is Zelmo

Beaty, a star center in the NBA and always was

referred to as undersized being but 6'9" height.

He fought having cancer, his wife, Annie said.

He looked up to Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Rule.

Beaty played with our Lakers in the NBA for his

final season 1974-1975. He played in 69 games

averaging 17.6 minutes, 5.5 points & 4.7 rebounds.

He was named to the league's all-rookie team his

first season 1962-63 and played in 2 NBA All Star Games.

Thank you for reading my two basketball mentions

this fateful remembrance day of 9-11. May God Bless.

Babs Wells

OFTEN WE GET TO WONDERING

Seems that the fire that raged so strongly

during the Powerhouse fires, has become

history thankfully, but in their wake, the

Painted Turtle located by Lake Hughes

was spared although damages to their ventilating

system took place. Summer camp fun was cancelled.

This is the camp I have talked about before

that allows children with life threatening

diseases to get in on some camp life fun along with

their families at no cost what so ever for them.

They have medical personal on hand for any

types of needs that come up. Our Lakers

NBA team were instrumental for funding

some of the camp's interior. It was originally

founded by the (now late) Paul Newman.

This is just one of the camps he started called:

"Serious Fun Children's Network".

This particular camp opened up in 2004 and

already hundreds of children have enjoyed

a carefree week at the camp.

There is a fundraising effort. The camp's North

Los Angeles County Regional Advisory Board's

annual Turtle BBQ fundraiser benefit is being held. 

The Party will kick off at 5:00 PM this coming Saturday. 

There will be a tour, a social hour with wine and beer tastings,

hors d'oeuvres plus the mouth watering BBQ meal.

This is courtesy of Calabasas Custom Catering.

They intend having entertainment with Kenny Herrera's

Hit Machine along with a live & silent Auction and a raffle.

Today air quality is not a factor and so they are asking

for people to donate $100 per plate to come in and partake

of this invitation for their BBQ. You must be 21 years

of age however for this event. Proceeds from the fund

raiser will help to defray some of the expenses  for

repairs to the camp that was scorched. There is a 

special magic at this camp adventure that's difficult describing.

Former Lakers NBA assistant coach, John Elway, spending

most of his career on the coaching staff when Phil Jackson

was head coach, has now decided to join the Milwaukee Staff.

Lamar Odom used to play with our Lakers team but has lately

had other exposure. Namely, detox for use of drugs and a 

pull-over for DUI. It is uncertain what all of these involvements

might mean in his basket ball playing future. As it is standing

right now, his days up ahead could very likely be in jeopardy.

He is scheduled to be in court September 27th. He may be

subject to a mandatory evaluation by the medical director of the

NBA's anti-drug program. The NBA immediately disqualifies

any player who tests positive for any drug except marijuana.

It is pretty clear Odom's transgressions in this past week concern

those beyond the paparazzi. Former Lakers, ranging from

Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson and our Pau Gasol, have offered

helpful messages. Pau even wrote "All these rumors are really

bothering me as Lamar is one of the best guys I have ever played 

basketball with". Having said that, we echo our hopes that Lamar 

will get the help and aid that he needs to continue on in his basketball

career. Please look into all of the programs out there for help, Lamar.

Babs Wells