TIME FOR SOME REFLECTION

My husband watched football games, while my

first born grandson ran around on the hockey rink.

Granddaughter & my 3 girls were swimmers.

Neighbor gals play soccer. My son loved softball

and me? Have been a basketball fan ever since High

School and even later..watching our NBA  Lakers

since 1962 when they left our home state of Minnesota

and made their way to L.A  . Rearing 4 kiddies, A few

games of course I could only watch some of their

plays but kept up my enthusiasm for our Lakers always.

The stories told of players of yesteryear amaze me still

when I get into a discussion of the older games and

of their players. Some have gone on now to coach,
others to be at the mike explaining games play by play.

It makes my heart swell in memories and I can become

probably a dull conversationalist for others at times

remembering the players and some of games played.

Into my third month now for recovery from a fall

I took January 18th when I broke my left hip.

Family came to my aid, friends from out of state

even and neighbors rallied around me with my

needs like I could never have dreamed of. The

love and the caring shows such real constancy

with my new found frailty that it humbles me 

beyond belief. How to honestly thank you all for

your hovering and your kindness shown? I pray

no body (especially in aging years) has to handle

what I have been going through but there is

a rainbow here to share too. At the hospital

it was learned that medication I have been taking

to help with my escalating blood pressure,

for past 3 years was depleting my kidney function.

So, like we are told ever since babies, "things

all too often do happen when they are supposed to"

And therefore, in my eagerness to get well, I sit

and offer my own personal prayer for thanksgiving

for my falling episode to have happened so hopefully

this lady will never have, to go on dialysis.

Easter Sunday coming up and we as Christians

breathe deeply in respect and give our thanks

what all this time of rejoicing really signifies and

not just the pretty sought after eggs either, but

reflect upon our gratefulness in knowing the

true reason we are gathering together with

family to have some quiet moments of inner voice.

This then, will be my very last blog. One I have enjoyed

writing ever since February 2010 when my mid-

daughter felt I would  like writing up these blogs

for myself and for all the  NBA Lakers fans. However,

will not end this offering until I share with you the fun I

had on March 18th, Friday, in L..A. at Staples Center

watching for the very first time, in person, a Lakers game!

This one was played against the Phoenix Suns and 

although left far behind in scores, we crept up in the

4th quarter to rally with hope and anxiety that if

Ryan Kelly had only made those 2 baskets at foul

line, we just might have had the opportunity of squeezing

in a victory. Not to be, yet my heart hammered within

my chest all the same. From the first entry into

the building, patience, courtesy and kindness

was demonstrated to me and my grandson that

allowed this grandma to see 3-18-16 game, it made

me ever so proud to witness the show of  such care

given us. I thank you as I say my good byes and just like

our Kobe Bryant is bidding farewell this season, I too

bid each and every one of you a loving farewell.

I look forward to next season to see our Lakers on court.

Again I do thank you for your loyalties given me . 

Goodbye now.

BABS WELLS

And to this, Babs' Editor, WenDee her youngest daughter, wants you all to know how much we enjoyed this time to share with you all. God Bless, and Lakers for the Win!

From The Blogger' Daughter

Hello Lakers Fans!

This is WenDee, Mom (Babs' youngest), letting you know she is taking an unfortunate immediate leave from this blog. She will be away for some time and the family will appreciate all your prayers and positive thoughts towards her at this time.

Thank you and please comment to leave her some kind words.

WenDee and Paula, her daughters.

ONE STEP FORWARD AND ANOTHER BACK

Tuesday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans

was really lovely to see for Lakers fans.

Even though Kobe had troubles with his right

Achilles, he felt he had  to play. After the pain got

to him he had to give it up for playing after 16

minutes of play. Yes, we did manage to win

this game with score ending: 95-91.

The 18,997 fans cheered and greeted our

Kobe happily. Staples Center was host and 

you could hear chants of M-V-P, when he stepped

up to the foul line. Plenty of Lakers fans behind

the basket also took pictures with their cell

phones to document that moment. The buzz

only increased when Lou Williams made 2

consecutive bank shots, while Julius Randle

converted on a lay-up and one of two foul

shots to secure the win.

And, yes, Kobe made another effort for his

fans by suiting up and playing in the Golden

State Warriors game on Thursday night.

He again came out on to the court, but

sorry, it was not quite enough for us to win 

this one. We lost with the score of 116-98.

Lakers forward Brandon Bass missed

Thursday's game due to a sore right foot.

An interesting note however is this:

Kobe Bryant has maintained a firm

edge in the NBA All-Star votes and 

the third returns released on Thursday

showed he had a league-leading 1,533,432 

votes for his 18th and final NBA All-Star

appearance in Toronto on Feb. 14th.

I goofed last blog and said the leaps of

Lou Williams were ever so great to witness.

The player that ought to have been in that

role was Larry Nance, Jr. and I am sorry

about that. We shall hope for yet another

win this coming Saturday when we willl

be playing against the Utah Jazz.

BABS WELLS

WE SHALL WAIT IT OUT AND SEE

Two more losses. We played hard and

we played well but with our new rookies

learning their trade and finding their

balances together, we can hope and watch

and we can cheer them on and see what

the team does come up with for future

games. Kobe still having problems with

that darned right shoulder and icing it.

Randle and Larry Nance Jr. seem to

team up rather well together I thought.

D'Angelo Russell was limping off to

nurture his injury and coach Byron Scott

took over with re-programming his subjects. 

I see that Sacre was on the court which

I did like but wish that Marcello Huertas

could figure in for far more playing time.

Nick Young looked swaggy and smart.

Lou Williams 44 point career high in

meeting his opposition on Friday night

showed such force and drive that it left

us all in awe. His leaps into the air remind

us of some long ago players that did this.

Our loss, yes, but barely. Final score: 117-113.

O.K.C. Thunder drove us hard and we do

need to heed these kinds of players as this

is the content of learning how to come around

far better and to make the right shots quicker.

Jordan Clarkson made another 17 points

by himself and plays against Kevin Durant

are not easy to do. Kevin is a seasoned

player, tall and oh so able.. Only Kobe Bryant

and now Lou Williams have made over 40 points

in any given game ever since November. 2014.

Sunday's game with the Utah Jazz began with 

our team holding their own sans Kobe.

It looked like a sleep-walk & was, to a near

record loss. Players tired? Un-focused?

Who knows. But the game was agony to watch.

The shots clanged off the rims. The players

energy looked listless.And so yes, another loss

with ending score of: Jazz, 86 & Lakers, 74.

Pitiful game and one that I am certain the

coach will land into the players for lack of

wanting to do anything else to, save grace.

They nearly set a franchise record for fewest

points scored in a game during shot-clock era.

Slightly scoring more than the 70 points the

Lakers scored against Cleveland back in

Nov. 2002. The Lakers also posted a season

low 30 first half points on 12-of-42 shooting

(28 %). A mark worse than the 35 first half points

they scored against Indiana on Nov. 2015.

And to make matters worse, the Jazz had lost 

their previous 6 games so if we'd been more "on

the ball", it seems we could easily have won.

Tuesday eve. we play the Pelicans. How?

Well, dream on, perhaps we can beat 'em.

At only age 68, it appears we have lost

yet another former NBA player. John

Johnson died in San Jose. John was

was .a two time All Star forward with the

Cleveland Cav's. R.I.P. John.

BABS WELLS

GUESS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ISN'T FOR US NOW

Last two games sure did not fare too well for our Lakers.

Jordan Clarkson sat and watched during the first half of

the game while Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson

shoots. Our guard saw the shot and winced. And Kobe

Bryant sat out for the 3rd.straight game. The Warriors

maintained a healthy lead as Clarkson made 23 points.

The ending score was 109-88. Sad but true never the less.

The second game up north was in Sacramento. Along with coach

Byron Scott, Kobe decided in spite of his right shoulder being

not all that he'd' wish it to be that yes, he would suit up and play

So then in practice, Julius Randle (forward) was asked just

how he felt and he stated that he "was holding up". Later saying

"I'm good"  Scott said he had a nice little talk with Randle 

about his frustration with playing only 16 minutes in the Lakers 

win on Sunday in Phoenix. Randle had posted a combined 

four points on 1 of 12 shooting, 21 rebounds and seven assists 

in the other past two games. Scott then told the press that Randle 

is a very humble young man and he wants to do good and be like 

what the Lakers are known for and he gets along very well 

with most of our young guys.

With Kobe on the bench the entire fourth quarter, this was then the

first game in Sacramento that he was reminded of that had

taken place back on Dec. 10th,1996. (His rookie season).

And once again, even in this 2016 game played @Sacramento,

we played well and yet lost to the Kings. Final score: 118-115.

It was a great showing and one good game to watch.

The game took place in Sleep Train Arena. This was Kobe's

33rd. time playing the Kings yet he made 7 points right

in the first quarter and added some positive signs

amid another loss. And so, with Bryants' farewell coinciding

with his younger teammates developing, any (even small)

victory we are able to achieve, we shall accept with grace.

Not much rest, I am afraid, for tonight

we are to meet with the OKlahoma City Thunder

for another game to be played. Good luck lads.

BABS WELLS

ONE..TWO...THREE...YOU'RE IN..!!!!!

Larry Nance, Jr. has surely proven his worth in these

past games. He hardly flinched on the idea that he

will ultimately become a so-called "Stretch forward".

He stated that he would feel comfortable playing

the small forward spot, though he and Lakers

coach Byron Scott have never discussed the idea.

But with Nance Jr. averaging 9.0 points on 66.7 %

shooting in the past five games, Scott sounded

just as willing to allow Nance Jr. to expand  his

game out to the perimeter. He has 3 point range.

He may not take a shot unless the shot clock is 

running down, coach exclaimed , but he had a 

lot of confidence he said, when he shoots the ball

Happens, too to note, it was Larry's 23rd.Birthday.

Lou Williams scored 12 of his 24 points in the

fourth quarter during the 76'ers. game. 

Jordan Clarkson added 19, leading the L.A.

Lakers to a 93-84 victory over the Philadelphia

team Friday evening. Julius Randle scored 15 

off the bench for us in a match up between

teams with the NBA's two worst records.

The Lakers and the 76'ers have played 4

times in the NBA Finals most recently in 2001.

The earlier injured right shoulder of Kobe

Bryant's has been in question so he opted

out of playing in both the last two games.

This younger set really gave chase to the

Phoenix Suns on Sunday evening. They

kept them at bay with a 20 to 10 point lead

almost through out the entire game.

At games ending down in L.A.Staples

Center, against the Phoenix Suns, score 

was: Lakers : 97 and Suns: 77.

A looming decision awaits the NBA future

for Metta World Peace (Ron Artest),

Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas. Both

Huertas and Metta downplayed uncertainty

on whether the Lakers will retain them

after this week to make their contracts

more guaranteed. Huertas made the

reply to the press, that he was not all

that worried as it seemed the people

making this decision appear happy with

him as a player & are eager to tutor

the younger guys.. All contracts will

become guaranteed after this coming

Sunday. The Lakers will decide by

Friday so that the players have time

to clear waivers.

The Lakers will then be playing again

on Tuesday against the Warriors.

Tomorrow evening we'll  test the waters..

So see y'all then at 7:30

BABS WELLS