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

HAPPY NEW YEAR...!!!!!

And what fun we had! Bring out the noise

makers, send off the fire-works. In the city

of green, we prevailed and won last evening

over the Boston Celtics and our leading

star Kobe, was applauded and given

the tribute he so deserves and it sure

did my heart good to see and hear this.

Kobe's beauty of a wife (Vanessa) along

with his two daughters, (Natalia & Gianna)

were right there too cheering their Dad & 

looking ever so proud. Along this route of

Kobe's final tour for playing in the NBA,

he showed such power and made his

first double-double of the season.  He

made 15 points and a big 3-pointer at 

the game's end. Our final score for Wed.

game was: Lakers, 112 & Celtics 104.

The Charlotte game was not as good.

We lost 108-98. The Hornets were

relentless but they still did give

our Kobe an awesome ovation.

He became the Lakers all-time

leading  scorer and a 5 time NBA

Champion. Repeatedly he always

stated that he wanted to be the best,

Well, we wrap up 2015 with his promise

fulfilled and onward we trek into yet 

another game. This one played in L.A. at

Staples Center on New Year's Day against

the Philadelphia 76'ers.. Game at 7:30.

We learned we have lost a Basketball Globe

trotters star, Meadowlark Lemon.

He played with the Harlem Globetrotters

and was known as the "Clown Prince:"

He died in AZ at age 83. R.I.P. now.

BABS WELLS

SUPPOSE MISTLETOE MIGHT HAVE HELPED?

We lost. Both games. Last two games played.

But we will try once again this Sunday with the

Grizzlies and see just how we might fare there.

The O.K.C. game had Kobe Bryant back playing

with the team. The last time playing against

them, his right shoulder was painful so he opted

 out of  playing that game . This time they beat

us by score of: 120-85.. Bryant, who equaled a season

high with 31 points Tuesday night in Lakers' win

over Denver, score of 111-107, played on con-

secutive nights for the 4th. time this season & he

finished with 19 points on 7 for 22 shooting in 27 minutes.

Consider the gift though, that keeps on giving.

Kobe Bryant playing at Staples Center against

the L.A. Clippers right on Christmas Day eve.

And did you know that Kobe surpassed Oscar

Robertson's Christmas Day points made? Kobe made

(so far) 383 in 2012 with Oscar's record of 377.

Well, the miscues came in all shapes and sizes.

The Lakers stayed out of the paint just as the

Clippers (played at Staples center) Christmas

Day eve. when our rookie point guard,

D'Angelo Russell spent (most) of his time on the

bench than out on the court and Julius Randle nursed

(forward) his bad left leg., while Nick Young earlier had

a stomach bug., hence the Lakers' struggle against 

the other L.A. team (Clippers) and so we lost 94-84.

Despite pleas from the 18,997 sellout crowd to put

Bryant back in his final Christmas Day game, he sat

out ending with 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting in

26 minutes time. Also, it appeared we could not

seem to overcome shooting only 13 of 25 from

the foul line.  Kobe fired off 9 points with a trio

of 3-point baskets, in what seemed like 30

seconds in the first half of the game on Friday.

Even falling behind at one time by 28 points,

we rallied and left the games' ending loss by 10.

Wondering today just how we shall do on Sunday

when we face the Grizzlies mid day. Hope to win!

BABS WELLS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And...Ho Ho Ho..we did it! Thank you

Kobe. Yes, during that first half of the

game, we did wonder. But playing Denver

Nuggets took a real turn for the better

(for our team) and Kobe Bryant made

31 points on 10-of-22 shooting with

five assists in 32 minutes after missing

Saturday's game against the Thunder

with Oklahoma City. This also marked

his fifth game in the last seven appearances

he scored at least 20 points. He converted

a four-point play. He made numerous

fadeaways ,including a step-back jumper

that gave the Lakers a 94-91 lead with

6:13 left on the clock. He also threw a

no-look pass to Randle for an open 

dunk. Kobe then cemented the game

with a pull-up jumper that gave the

Lakers a 107-100 edge with 32 seconds

left to play it out. It was an eager

audience watching this game that had

the aspects of a loss at first for us.

It was a challenge in over-coming

a 21 point deficit. Then the Lakers

cut the Nuggets lead to 70-68.

At that time there was 7:05 left in

the third quarter to play. By the way,

there were double digits too from

Jordan Clarkson (19 points), Lou

Williams (15), Nick Young (11)

and Larry Nance Jr. (10.)

This game final score: 111-107.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Far different game was played

by our Lakers in Oklahoma City.

We lost that game. Score:118-78.

And, the farewell tour came to

a screeching halt. Our star player,

Kobe Bryant, felt his shoulder was

not as it ought to have been so he

decided to not play after all.

He had a torn rotator-cuff 

surgery done on it last January.

Julius Randle made the statement 

that they just seemed to not be able to

play well as a team. They evidently

did not have enough steam or energy.

Perhaps the Gods will give us another

chance? We host Oklahoma City

tonight  at Staples Center.,

So we will sit tight, & watch this eve.

BABS WELLS

STAPLES & FANS ARE EVER SO HAPPY

YUP....WE....WON....!!

Really a good game for us last evening against 

the Milwaukee Bucks. Our Kobe was in such good

form and showed us once again his prowess

on the courts.  He made 22 points and it was

a sell-out crowd of 18,997 spectators while

we finally had a victory score: 113-95.

D'Angelo Russell, in his new role as the

Lakers' sixth man, scored 19 points

and delivered seven assists.

Other Lakers in double figures scoring

were Lou Williams (16), Julius Randle (14)

and 14 rebounds, Roy Hibbert and Jordan

Clarkson each scored 12, with Nick Young

making 10 points. Kobe finished with 6

assists as well. He said of the younger

players that he is more relaxed about their

plays and is enjoying seeing the team grow.

It sure did feel more like home last night.

During their previous 8 game road trip

they passed through varying time zones

and guess it rattled their souls somewhat.

It turns out that our Lakers seemed to

have everything they needed at home

to give us a winning game.

The Lakers offense hummed and this all

happened against a team that had ended 

Golden State's 24 game unbeaten streak 

just 3 days earlier. And it happened 3 days

after the Lakers concluded their 8 game,

13 day trip. In a season in which

we are starved for victories, our players

appeared (for now at least) to be very

well nourished. Bryant sank the final

foul shot as he sparked "MVP" chants.

And so, on Thursday eve (At Staples)

we will be playing against the Rockets.

Keep up the good work lads!

BABS WELLS