RETIREMENT

RETIREMENT

Yes, now it is true, that our Kobe Bryant has let

us all know his wheels have pretty much fallen

off and with this current season ending, 2016

he will bid farewell after a very determined 20

years as a Laker for the NBA. He came aboard

at age 17 in 1996 and faithfully ran up and down

those courts with the fans urging him on always.

The past two seasons have not been as we'd 

wished them to be and the season we are now

in is not turning out very good either for us.

And so, retirement seems to be the popular

trend right now for Kobe and for this writer

doing this blog as well. Having just turned age

85, I too am hanging it up after this season.

I have been doing this ever since Feb. 2010

and with other missions on my plate it seems

that I feel it only right to move forward too.

We all wish Kobe the very best & yes, he

will show us all that he is still around

I am sure. I know for one thing, he is hoping

to play in the 2016 Olympics and may do so.

Losing games has become a norm and

not happily so either. Losing to the Golden State

Warriors and losing to the Portland Trailblazers

as well, set us in the ranks of non-victors.

Byron Scott (Lakers coach) made the statement

"I remember so well when we were winning

nearly every night. and I think once it's over

you look back and realize how much fun it was".

and "One thing coach Pat Riley would not

let us do is live on what we just did the night

before." And so the banter went on remembering.

Yes, our Lakers used to be in "Showtime"

and it was an era we shall not soon forget.

In fact, Kobe, at age 17, was only 13th

over-all pick back in 1996.

He went on to win 5 Championships and

has third place standing on League's

all-time scoring Lakers list. He  even won

two U.S. Olympic Gold Medals.

Thank you from our hearts Kobe for giving

us your all. They packed the stadiums just

to get the chance to see you play and we

are all the better for having you a Laker.

Now on Tuesday. we will be playing against

the '76'ers at  4:00 p.m.

Our last game we lost by only 4 points so

that in itself shows our young players are

in accord and trying hard to be more 

unified so it bodes well for us, I think.

November 24th. Basketball Hall of

Famer Oscar Robertson turned 77.

Also at age 83, former New Mexico

Basketball coach, Norm Ellenberger

has died. His demise came on Nov.

14th. so we bid him goodbye  & R.I.P.

BABS wells

WONDERING HOW IT WILL GO WITH GOLDEN STATE?

Yes, Tuesday night we'll be up north playing

against the Warriors. It did not fare too

well for us on Sunday night with Portland

Trail Blazers. Lost at score of:107-93.

Most frustrating for us all and Kobe played

as well.  Seems now it might be going beyond

his durability and efficiency. Are we being

defensive enough? Jordan Clarkson

had team leading 19 points and 8-of-14 shooting.

D'Angelo Russell made 13 points, 9 rebounds,

6 assists. Julius Randle is developing very

well. He made 14 points & 13 rebounds.

It does get a bit depressing when playing

against our "others" when they have been

so far, un-defeated and we have not been

winning our games. Karim-Abdul-Jabbar

has been looking at our Lakers through his

seasoned eyes so what he said makes a lot of sense.

"You have to want your teammates to be

successful and you have to love each other"

Coach Byron Scott played with Karim on the

showtime Lakers from 1983-1989 & they

won three NBA championships together.

What evidently is not totally happening 

yet is that as players, we have to play as

a team and have to play together & have

each other's back. Our losses are piling

up  so we must fight harder to be winners.

Our very next game then is set for Tuesday

night and we are ever so hopeful for a win.

BABS WELLS

KEEP APPLAUDING AND CHEERING OUR TEAM ON

It is not always an easy thing to do is it? We have lost

so many games and we are trying so hard to win.

Even having our Kobe out on the floor last eve. did

not seem to help in the long run. I cannot help but

wonder some why our coach is not playing Sacre more 

and also Hueras (unsure if spelling here is correct.)

I do see that Ron Artest (MWP) and Lou Williams

have been on the courts as well as Larry Nance, Jr.

and that is good I do believe. Jordan Clarkson has

really been a good player as have Julius Randle and

D'Angelo Russell. Somehow the endings of games

being played are what appears to be part of our problem.

Are they just plainly not getting enough motivation

or are their legs tiring? Anyway, Sunday we lost

the game with end scoring against Toronto Raptors

being 102-91.

The game prior to this one was also a losing game.

We played the Phoenix Suns and lost by ending

score of: 120-101.

Somehow these losing scores just have to

finally give way to a few victories for us.

Kobe did not take part in the Phoenix game.

Russell posted only 9 points on 3-of-9 

shooting, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. 

Randle had 4 points on 1-of-5 shooting

5 rebounds and 4 fouls. Neither player

made a field goal until midway through

the fourth quarter.

Lou Williams is an NBA 10-year veteran.

He signed on with the Lakers last summer 

to a three year $21 Mil. deal.

 He made the statement that there will be 

stretches where shots just are not going to fall.

Our rookie team makes our Lakers notice there

has to be an adjustment and players have to

find their rhythm & begin to become more efficient.

I see there are Birthdays' to report on..., namely:

Broadcaster & sports Mogul, Ted Turner turned

71 on November 19th. and also Basketball Hall

of Fame, Earl Monroe turned 71 as of today.

So now we shall play on Sunday again. This

game will be with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Let's all hope that we win this one.

BABS WELLS

IT IS ALWAYS SO GOOD BEING BACK HOME

Yesterday playing down at Staples Center in LA

we played against the Detroit Pistons out there

on the floor and even though they have a

great defender in Drummond,our own Hibbert

really did a number out there for us to cheer.

His leadership showed through. It was such

fun seeing that. He will yell at teammates

for their defensive lapses, and he'll also

pat them on the back for encouragement.

He will point the finger at himself as well.

He says "you have to measure your talent

and help your younger guys". But then 

he stated that he had to hold himself account-

able as well. Lakers coach Byron Scott 

made the statement that Hibbert seemed pretty

good with the young fellas as far as getting

on them when needs be. One thing noted

is that he always routinely organizes

team dinners so that the young crop

of players feel included. This would

include D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle,

Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr.

Noticing that some of our youngsters are

but 19 years old, it is certain that it all takes

time to be influenced and feel unification.

The end score yesterday then was: 97-85.

Friday's game was a different story altogether. 

We played against Dallas and we got beat. 

Ending score was 90-82. 

The Mavericks have Dirk on their side

and he has been playing almost as long 

as our own Kobe has. I think Dirk has

been playing for 17 years. Kobe into his 20th.'Julius 

Randle grew up in Plano Texas so was 

able to go and visit with his family

before game time. This was his first NBA

game played in Dallas and he scored

six points shooting 2 for 9. And, almost

needless to say, Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas'

leading scorer going into the game aver-

aging 18.9 points, was held to nine on

4-for-13 shooting.. He was high scorer.

Now tonight (back to back playing) we

will be playing against the Phoenix

Suns and game will air here in California

at 6:00 p.m. Good luck fellas.

BABS WELLS

ROAD TRIPS FOR OUR LAKERS

First off....we  are to talk about our Kobe Bryant.

Although he may be playing now for

his last season, it, by no means, indicates

that he is out of the running for playing

basketball. He is most anxious to partake an interest

in playing for the U.S. Olympic team during the 2016

Olympics. He stated that it would mean the world

to him to do so and he has not ruled out what would

mark his third Olympics appearance following the 2012 

Games in London.  USA Basketball chairman Jerry

Colangelo reported Bryant mentioned his sentiment

last summer.

Right now he is nursing a sore back so has not been

out on the courts for the last two games played on the

road. One in Miami and one in Orlando.

Kobe's noticeable absence in playing shows his

earlier comment to not be valid. He earlier had stated 

that he'd hoped to be playing in all 82 regular

season games but now this is unfulfilled.

His not being able to play when we lost the game

to Miami 101-88, is sad to report but just one 

of those things we all must contend with.

He had told coach Byron Scott that he felt it

was troubling for him merely walking and that

he felt a "tightness" when averaging 16.5 points

on a career-low 32% shooting.

At Magic Center in Orlando Lakers Center

Roy Hibbert with 1.5 seconds remaining

could not gain entry to the basket and our

opponents made a final basket with the

final score being 101-99 so once more

we failed to win another game.D'Angelo 

Russell, also tried to make a play for games 

ending but it was not to be. Now we will

find ourselves on Friday in Texas against

the Mavericks for play. It will air at 5:30

California Time. Best of luck lads.

It is noted that Gordon Stirling, age 86,

has died. He was a longtime executive

and scout for the NBA. He was known as

'Scotty". He was vice president of operations

and longtime team executive and scout.

R.I.P. Scotty.

BABS WELLS

TWO GREAT GAMES

Before I begin here today let me tell you my

tale of woe. I had my blog written almost in

its' entirety and (not a p.c. pro) I somehow 

lost it...so now you get the second version

right now and hope upon hope I am not 

forgetting any thing. Yes, Friday night's

game was spectacular. Needless to say we

won it. Score :104-98. Our Kobe Bryant

was super good and full of life.

The crowds chanted for him like crazy.

He scored 18 points and was his highest

performance since opening night.

The game against Brooklyn was held in

Barclay Center  playing the Nets.

Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell 

each scored 16 points for the Lakers.

Russell, was the number 2 pick in the

draft and had his highest scoring game

of his career but was not on the court

down the stretch when Lou Williams came

in to help close it out. Metta World Peace

(Ron Artest) had his first playing time

this season. The N.Y. native signed

on in September for his second stint

with our team. When he played before 

this he helped lead us to the 2010

NBA Championship. It is noteworthy

to see now days he is sort of mentoring

some of our younger players..

On Sunday afternoon in N.Y. playing

against the Knicks, we played hard and

it was such a fun game to watch. We were 

actually neck to neck during most of the

entire game but at its' ending, we did not

make it through. The score being:99-95.

Once again, Kobe was applauded & cheered.

His former team-mate, Derek Fisher 

is now the coach for the N.Y. Knicks.

Phil Jackson (our former coach) is now

Knicks president, &, came down into the

locker room to speak with Kobe after 

the game ended. Even though there

were 19,812 fans there to cheer and

call out MVP every time Kobe went

to the foul line, he said he just tried

to stay focused on what all he could do.

He scored 18 points on a 6-of-19

clip and a 2-of-10 mark from a 3

point range, continuing a season-

long trend in which he has shot

below 50%. 

The game took place in Madison

Square Garden and even though

 the ending was not as we'd have

had it be, the game was fun to see.

Now on Tuesday evening, we face

the Heat in Miami. Show time for

us here in California will be starting

time: 4:30. Hope we win this one.

Just noticed that Lamar Odom

who has been mighty ill, just had

a Birthday on November 6th.

Lamar used to be with our Lakers..

BABS WELLS

WONDERING WHAT OUR FUTURE HOLDS

Number four game last evening against the

Denver Nuggets but we lost another one.

0-4 now and road trips in the offing for us.

I believe it will be 16 games played out of

20, that we will actually be on the road .

So for home courts game a losing factor

does not set too well for us. Having our

Kobe making only 11 of his shots too was

not in the good grace of feelings.

We lost to the Sacramento Kings with

score of:132-144 and to the Dallas

Mavericks too with score of:103-93

and now last losing score was:120-109.

We can bounce back and we know it.

It will need far better defense playing

out there on the courts I do think.

Julius Randle did walk off the court

last night from an eye injury

but came right back out wearing

goggles for protection. 

Under directions from coach Byron

Scott this is  second season in a row that

we have not won a game. Scott, a long

time player once himself knows full well

the frustration being felt by us all.

D'Angelo Russel fought frustration with 

a steep learning curve and a restless

fanbase, and the coach suggested 

the 19 year old rookie reduce his

post-practice and pre-game routine

perhaps in order to calm his nerves.

Jordan Clarkson led the team in a

career high of making 30 points for 12 of 19 shots.

He stated that if the team can just hold

to one shot and rebound the ball that it

would really be a big help for them all.

Lou Williams again was productive

off the bench, scoring 24 points in

33 minutes of game play.  

We will get another chance for redemption.

On Friday evening we play the Nets

but at an earlier time frame @ 4:30 TWCS

Hoping for the best.

BABS WELLS

FAME OR FOLLY???

Well, first game of the season playing against the

Minnesota Timberwolves, we lost but by only one

point. Second game of this new season? Dare

I chance mentioning it? We played  against the

Sacramento Kings and at first we seemed to

be holding our own. Scores reflected that.

But as time went on, it became pretty sad to
watch our players, try though they did, keep falling

so far behind. The final score was:132-114.

Wondering if on Sunday evening we might

be able to redeem ourselves. We will be

playing against the Dallas Mavericks and

playing in L.A. at Staples Center. With today

to recoup let us hope that they will come forth

and show us how they can buck up and get 

the job done as we all hoped that they would.

On this coming Saturday, in Minneapolis,

there will be a service for Minnesota coach,

Flip Saunders, age 60 who died last Sunday.

He had Hodgkins lymphoma. Former man

on his team from 2003-05 was Mark Madsen

and he will be there attending the services.

Flip, really liked by so many was a straight

arrow and a helper to those he knew always.

Also, we see by the paper, that former Hall

of Famer, Mel Daniels, of the Indiana Pacers,

has died at the age of 71.. He was the ABA's

MVP in 1968-69 and in 1970-71. He was

inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

His # 34 jersey has now been retired.

Also noted is that we have lost Neal Walk, 

age 67. He was a rebounding star for Phoenix

and Florida.. In fact he grabbed more rebounds

at the U. of Florida than anyone else in the 

basketball program's history and became

an effective center for the Phoenix Suns in

the early years of franchise. He died Oct. 4th.

R.I.P. men. I know sports fans will miss you.

BABS WELLS