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South Bay Lakers: A contagious fan experience that can’t be missed

By Shereen Rayan

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Vander Blue #17 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Vander Blue #17 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The South Bay Lakers are great fun to cheer for, so stop asking yourself why haven’t you gone to a game and go!

We’ve heard it before, “I really want to get to a South Bay Lakers G-League game this season, but haven’t yet.” I can’t tell you how many people have told me that in the last three seasons that I have been covering this team.

Usually, I am sitting at the media table with the NBA Scouts who have come to check in on the players and write their reports. But this weekend I got to sit mid-court a few rows up and be a fan for two games. It was so much fun!

When you cover a team, you cheer for them silently, and you pull for them as they are playing. Then you get your chance to ask questions. The players are always enjoyable to talk to, to get to know, and they give wonderful insights.

The SB Lakers stands are pretty much full these days even though there are more seats now. Being in the stands was liberating. It was like the handcuffs were removed, and now I was free to do things like hassling the referees.

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I got my first chance when coach Coby Karl was T’d up for something he must have said. He was complaining about a bad call. So I couldn’t help myself, “But Coach was right though!!!”

You have the opportunity to help the fans in the stands form a personality too! With the new venue, there is a great new feel to the game; it’s more legitimate in a way.

So there are a few loud fans, and one guy that always says “Shhh” each time a Laker shoots free throws, but there is room for more.

Have you ever wanted to sit on the floor in the front row? You have a chance at the UCLA Health Center, and there are great floor seats available too that don’t cost $3,000. Just the other night one of the players went sailing into the seats trying to save the ball, so it’s just like the NBA in that regard.

Between Ivica Zubac (nicknames: Zub, Zublocka, Zu), Thomas Bryant (No Limit B or TB Hendrix), Stephaun Branch (Steph) and Alex Caruso (I call Alex AC), you will catch at least five huge demonstrative dunks. I guarantee it! Branch’s athleticism is off the charts, and his +/- helps the SB Lakers win games.

https://twitter.com/SouthBayLakers/status/942542325942706177

Caruso and Bryant do it all; the two have a ton of chemistry on the court. But what brings down the house is when AC slams down a dunk, usually one-handed. You don’t want to miss that.

https://twitter.com/SouthBayLakers/status/941909996840697856

Another player to catch is floor general Scott Machado, or Mac Pro (his nickname). Mac Pro and Steph are a dynamic duo. Just like Caruso and Bryant, Steph and Scott have great chemistry on the court. This is what makes the SB Lakers so fun, it doesn’t matter who is playing, there are always skilled and dynamic players to cheer for.

Machado is the ultimate floor general, talking on offense and defense, sending the ball to the right player, drawing a crowd and passing out, directing traffic and scoring. He’s a very versatile point guard. Vander Blue seems to play better when Machado is on the floor.

If you are a Bruin fan, you will thoroughly enjoy Travis Wear’s play. Wear has an awesome three-ball that he has added to his game. He is a huge part of the team and is only getting better. He is one of the most serious and intense players I have ever watched play the game, and that’s saying a lot. He is fully locked in. Against Memphis, on Sunday, he scored a career-high 26 points including six three’s!

https://twitter.com/SouthBayLakers/status/942608494422777856

Then there is Vander Blue, and no one wants to win more than Blue. He is just getting his mojo back after sitting out for a couple of games we think due to injury. He played really well against the Memphis Hustle. Blue is always good for a dozen drives to the basket for acrobatic layups or a three-pointer.

VJ Beachem is the sleeper on the team. Beachum worked his way into the starting line-up after joining the Summer League team as an undrafted free agent and earning himself a training camp invite.

You never know who you’re going to see at an SB Lakers game. Against Ivan Rabb (Cal Bears) and the Memphis Hustle last night, a few notables were in the building. Both Lakers head coach Luke Walton (and family) and coach Jesse Mermuys were in the skyboxes (Yes there are skyboxes for SB Lakers games in the new facility).

https://twitter.com/SouthBayLakers/status/942576770288558080

It’s a family affair! Coach Karl’s wife and children also were in the building. And against the Westchester Knicks on Friday, Rob Pelinka showed up as did Brandon Ingram. And although Bryant was called up to the Lakers, he showed up courtside to catch the game in street clothes.

Last season, you couldn’t get dinner or a snack or even a drink unless you were special guests, but this season, there are food trucks and a full bar to enjoy. Plus the team gives you gifts as you enter the arena, I walked away with a sweet purple South Bay Laker’s water bottle.

The competition in the G-League has leveled up this season. The two-way contracts and increased salary have attracted talent that would normally play overseas or have played in the NBA and are working their way back. On top of that, top undrafted talent from the NCAA is playing in the G-League on other teams as well. On Sunday you could have caught the Hustle’s Chance Comanche (Arizona Wildcats) who was just playing in the PAC-12 earlier this year.

If you still don’t think you are missing anything, there is a new Laker named Bryant who has ice in his veins. Bryant is one of the most exciting NBA rookies playing in the G-League. In this highlight, Thomas Bryant hits a three-point shot at the buzzer to send a game into overtime:

Scott Machado talked about his time on the South Bay Lakers. Why, you should come watch his team on a night that he scored 32 points and 11 assists (a double-double):

The SB Lakers next game is on Dec. 30 against the Salt Lake City Stars.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

So come on down and join the Lake Show Life to cheer for the South Bay Lakers at 2275 E Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245. The parking is free, and you get to watch some fantastic professional basketball in an intimate fun setting. For more information on season tickets and more email Ben Ahn at bahn@sb-lakers.com.

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