INJURIES AND LOSSES. WOE IS ME.

Disappointments and anger help no one but they

tend to creep into our vocabulary just the same.

Why hasn't our Coach, Byron Scott stepped into

the fray a bit more and rotated some of our rookie

players? Seems the right thing to do to me.

Anyway, Magic Johnson certainly voiced his

disdain over Jim Buss. The state of our Lakers

is worth noticing right now with all of the losses.

The Lakers' legend continues but the persistent 

criticism of Jim Buss, the Lakers' vice President

of basketball operations, lingers on. The Lakers

have hardly lived through happy times recently.

Lakers coach Byron Scott downplayed Johnson's

criticism even if he maintains high affection for

him after winning three NBA championships

together during the era of "Showtime".

During the Nuggets game, Denver shot 54%

from the floor to become the 4th straight team

to shoot over 50% vs Los Angeles. Carlos

Boozer came off the bench to score 24 points

and secure 10 rebounds. Wayne Ellington scored

18 points but only 5 after halftime. Nick Young

4-for-11 from the floor, finished with 12 points.

They closed out their pre-All Star game schedule

at Portland. They lost the Nuggets game and

they also lost the game against the Trailblazers.

During the Portland game,  we trailed at one time by

as many as 23 points. We were hurt late in the

third quarter when Nick Young appeared to

hurt his left ankle on a jumper and did not return.

Wayne Ellington led L.A. with 16 points and 8 

rebounds. The Lakers host the Nets on Feb. 20.

Wonder where this next game will take us?

BABS WELLS