RESTORATION

Seems that our Lakers are back at least

partway. Small part of course but being

they were lucky enough to have obtained

#2 pick is nothing to scoff at. Winning 10 

NBA titles is why they still eclipsed the

Dodgers, Clippers and Ducks.

The closest any one in the NBA came to

the Lakers since 1980 are the Bulls

with six titles. Since 1980. the other local major

league teams won 5 combined.

Winning #2 pick ends an unbroken string of

disasters going back to  their last title in 2010.

Which major prospect remains to be seen

but happily for the Lakers, this draft, once

considered so humble, looks to far surpass the

celebrated class of 2014. With their first pick,

Minnesota will almost certainly choose between

centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor.

At #2 pick, the Lakers are then expected to 

take whichever big man falls. The Lakers have to

be thinking " If we don't get a good big man here,

how and when would we ever get one?"

If the good old days are not back, at least better ones

soon will be. With their spoiled fans having been

recently un-spoiled with a vengeance, there is joy

in Lakerdom that is not based on denial.

Kobe Bryant is indicating that this next season

will be his last. Now, of course, all of this involves

his future and whether the 2015-16 campaign will 

mark his last season of his 20-year career.

Kupchak has strongly suggested this sentiment

throughout the 2014-15 season, mindful that

Bryant's contract that will pay him a league high

$25 Mil. next season in the final year of his contract.

Kobe states that his thoughts are along the lines of 

next season being his last season and has indicated

as much to the media. He has told friends that he has 

no intentions in playing past his current contract.

A famed former Harlem Globetrotter, Marques

Haynes has died at age 89. He was a pioneer,

helping pave the way for people of all races to

have opportunities to play basketball and for the

sport to explode on a global scale.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame on November

17, 2011, in Oklahoma City. He died Friday in

Piano, Texas. RIP Marques Haynes.

BABS WELLS

NUMBER TWO

With so many other contenders, 

pulling a number 2 for picks

is terrific! Yes, we'll bring out the

champagne and douse ourselves

in a victory of sorts. Mitch Kupchak

certainly thought so. His smile was

broad with his eagerness at the draw

to lend for a festive feeling. Cheering

was heard and so for the NBA Lottery

we can cheer right along with them.

After the Steve Nash trade so much

was riding upon this. Usually such 

jubilation is not heard of except after

an NBA championship has been won.

Our Lakers had that happen 16 times

in the franchise's rich 67-year old

history. And yes, this celebration

seemed understandable after we suffered

two worst seasons in franchise history.

It also spoke to the importance on

how much a draft pick could ensure a 

foundation sturdy enough to play through

June. Wondering now which college

prospect best fits that bill? All signs seem to

be pointing to 2 big men, either Kentucky's

Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke's Jahlil Okafor.

It seems fitting since the Lakers once leaned

on George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem

Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal.

"Signing Okafor or Towns to play with Kobe

Bryant, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson

plus some good free agents will help the Lakers

compete in the West" Lakers luminary

Magic Johnson noted late Tuesday night.

With the #2 pick we maybe now can add some 

very good free agents this coming summer 

and we can be right back as a contender

then next season. The Lakers might be

content with either center mentioned

knowing their storied championship

history once thrived thanks to big men.

That could certainly then prompt Kupchak

and the rest of our Lakers to pop Champagne

bottles again in June. We shall just have to 

wait it out and see.

BABS WELLS