BOY, IS IT EVER GOOD TO GET BACK HOME

Kobe is looking pretty good these days. According to

an anonymous NBA assistant coach, he states "I

could see Kobe consistently post 18 to 24 points

a game". He might even make 5 rebounds, 5 assists,

and a couple of steals. He will shoot well from free

throws line and he will be more in a catch and shoot

situation at small forward so his 3 point % should

go up. He just cannot be in a situation where they

throw it to him with only 6 seconds left on the shot

clock. He is not as athletic anymore and cannot

beat so many defenders as he once was able to do.

Kobe is going to play the rest of the preseason.

The Lakers had a victory at Staples Center against

the Israeli team of Maccabi Haifi Sunday night.

The game was played at home in Staples Center.

The final score says it all, 126-83. We cheered

like mad and it was fun to see our team winning.

Amid a league centered on small ball and out-

side shooting, the Lakers have a big problem

on their hands. They have 4 candidates to play

at backup center, including Robert Sacre,

Tarik Black, Robert Upshaw & Larry Nance,Jr.

Would the Lakers keep all four? Coach Byron

Scott, says he could but probably won't.

After the Lakers play Sacramento on Tuesday

in Las Vegas, Scott predicted  he would

think about probably starting to cut down.

He described Sacre and Black as guys that

understand that their roles are to go out there

and be physical. He is intrigued about Upshaw's

potential though the Lakers are cautious

after Fresno State (2012-13) & the University

of Washington (2014-15) dismissed him for

violating team rules. Scott likes Nance Jr's.

energy and he also played forward Brandon

Bass as backup center some before he missed

the past 2 games because of a bruised knee.

Tuesday night's game ought to give us far more

insight as to just how our players will handle

the ball out in 'Vegas. They certainly did

well back in L.A. playing on home court.

Two obituaries to mention here. One not a

Basketball player, but rather at age

88. Harry Gallatin, in N.Y. has died.

He played with the Knicks in 1950's.

Also at age 62, former UCLA NBA star,

Dave Meyers has passed on. He was

basketball champion in 1975 and a lone

senior in coach John Wooden's final

season . They will be sorely missed.

RIP each one of you that gave so much.

BABS WELLS