SHOWTIME RETURNS AS THE LAKERS ROCK DOWNTOWN L.A.

It is always fun to go to an NBA  Basketball game. But going to a Laker game takes it to another level. They play at Staples center right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. LA Live is right across the street and features the west coast home of ESPN. The place is really jumping. As you walk into Staples you pass by a giant statue of Magic Johnson and the Lakers home pre-game TV broadcast which sets up right outside and has a very live feel. After you settle into your seats the Laker pre-game begins and it is pretty cool. A giant circular silky curtain screen descends down  from the scoreboard with classic video images of Laker greats and the current team. All this and the game has not even started.

I must say that on this occasion I was very grateful for all the pre-game hoopla since the Lakers jumped out to a 24 point lead in the first half on the hapless New Jersey Nets who are now 0 -17. 

Kobe was on fire for most of the game and pretty much did what ever he wanted to do. I took this shot from 15 rows up behind the Laker bench.

If you are interested, here is a good review of the game from The Orange Country Register:
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/nets-221607-jackson-points.html

Photos by: Chris Bavelles

High School + Europe = NBA

Who knew? The Milwaukee Bucks, thats who! I wonder how all the NBA teams that passed on Brandon Jennings feel right about now, specially the Minnesota Timberwolves...remember they took Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn 5th and 6th in the draft. How is that working out for them right about now.

Without a doubt the current favorite for Rookie of the Year is the  Milwaukee  Bucks Brandon Jennings, who continues to play lights out basketball. So far in November he's averaging 26 points, four rebounds, and nearly six assists on 47% shooting from the field and 51% from deep. You know his success is driving college coaches crazy.

Remember, Brandon hooked up with Sonny Vacarro who helped him skip his freshman year in college and go overseas to play professionally in Europe. He did his one year there and now is lighting it up in the NBA. He might have been the first but he won’t be the last. This remains a route that is best suited for only the elite players like a Brandon Jennings. The lack of game action last year hasn't held him back a bit. In fact, it's hard to imagine Brandon playing at this level if he was coming out of Arizona instead as he originally intended.

Jennings 55 points - YOUTUBE

Jennings plays more like a 2nd or 3rd year player mainly because he spent a year playing against some of the best players in the world, competing against men. He learned team basketball and how to really play the game. He also got a chance to travel around Europe as a 19 year old. 


Chris Bavelles

Lakers Fill Up With Premium Gasol

The Lakers gave the league a little sneak preview as to what kind of team they have. At one point the Lakers had Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant all on the floor at the same time. That is a little scary. Gasol had a great first game back: 24 and 13. Chicago Bulls 93 - Los Angeles Lakers 108
	Nov 19 1 2 3 4 T Bulls 19 23 25 26 93 Lakers 25 28 31 24 108