Lakers vs. Celtics ~ 12.5.14 ~ TD Garden ~ Boston, MA

All rise...The Mamba has entered.

Warmup

The Sports Guy & Girl

Lakers vs. Jazz - 2.11.14 - Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA

The Battle of Los Angeles - Lakers/Clippers - NBA Opening Night

 Although I am very aware that the Lakers are not going to be very good this season (or for years to come, possibly), I didn't let that dampen my spirits on opening night here in LA. I couldn't pass up a chance to see the boys in purple and gold battle with their across-the-hall rivals the Clippers. With all of the new additions to an already stellar lineup, the Clippers have been picked by many analysts to win the Western Conference. With Kobe Bryant still out with his Achilles injury and the departure of Dwight Howard, there wasn't much to get excited about in this matchup of LA teams. But this is Hollywood...where anything can happen!! With the Clippers playing the role of Goliath, the undersized Lakers used 76 points from their bench players (including 41 of those in the 4th quarter) to slay the Clippers 116-103. It was an unexpected surprise and made for a great first game of the season!!

 Tribute to Bill Sharman

 Tipoff

 Lakers Win!!

 Cap

"Didn't I see you down in San Antone on a hot and dusty night?" - Memo From Turner

Well over the course of the last decade or so, I have made several trips down to San Antonio to see my Lakers take on the hated Spurs. I would have to say that 90% of the time I come home sad due to the fact that the Lakers seem to never play well when I am in the building. So as I made my way down I-35 one last time before leaving Texas, I had no reason to believe this night would be any different; especially when the news came down that Kobe Bryant would not be playing. "Where's the rest of them? Surely a so-called elite NBA franchise such as the Spurs has won more than just four championships..."For my Gator friends out there - Matt Bonner draining a 3-pointer.Pop trying to figure out WTF is going on. A 26 point lead in the second half? Get Out?!?!Well, I must admit that I was MORE than surprised that the Lakers not only showed up and played well, but laid the smackdown on one of the best teams in the NBA. And on their homecourt!! And without Kobe!! Haha! Lakers 98 - Spurs 84 - Laker fans celebrate on the front steps of the AT&T Center.San Fernando Cathedral - Founded in 1731, it has the distinction of being the oldest cathedral in the US.The Tower Life BuildingLate night eats at Mi Tierra Cafe As much as I hate the Spurs and mostly their fans, I have to admit that I am going to miss these jaunts down to San Antonio. Take care SA, I am quite sure I will see you again someday!!