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