WE FELL A BIT SHORT

Granted, back home on Staples Center courts

yet in the very first quarter, our Lakers lagged

behind by so many points it was a guessing

game whether or not we would ever catch up.

Finally we boosted our points and even tied

the Portland Trail Blazers and applied our

talents off the bench to go ahead by a couple

points and continued in this vein for the first

half of the game. It still seems impossible to 

relate but yes, Portland did score more points

than we seemed able to do last night.

Losing score:114-108.

At one time we even rallied after obtaining

a 20 point deficit .Note Jordan Farmar limped

off the court after the first quarter from straining

his left hamstring. Chris Kaman did dress for

play but was not actually in last nights' game.

Xavier Henry is a player to watch and he

along with Sacre, and Nick Young, scored 17

points. The Lakers player however that we all

will be watching closely is Wesley Johnson.

He is a most intelligent young man and appears

to know his worth playing the game of basketball.

Coach D'Antoni made the comments " I did not

think we fought hard enough through adversity,

I did not think that we were tough enough, and I

did not think there was enough resistance

defensively." Henry did boast a career high

of 27 points and Shawne Williams closed 

out the game.

Kobe Bryant is hopeful to be able to join his

teammates on Friday when we play Sacramento.

That game will be taking place at 7:00 at Sleep

Train Arena. Patience, Kobe, and best wishes.

BABS WELLS