Basketball 101 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Understanding the Triangle Offense with Phil Jackson to be presented by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission.

LOS ANGELES -- Just in time for the 2005-2006 NBA season, the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission invites business, sports and entertainment professionals to brush up on the fundamentals of basketball with a night of coaching from the experts.

LA Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) presents 'Basketball 101 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Understanding the Triangle Offense with Phil Jackson,' an innovative, officially sanctioned NBA event, designed to coach men and women on the fundamentals of basketball and the triangle offense. Basketball 101 takes place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at STAPLES Center.

Speakers include Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers; Kurt Rambis, assistant coach and former forward of the Los Angeles Lakers; Brian Shaw, assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers; and "Tex" Winter, legendary assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers who invented the famous triangle offense. FSN broadcaster Bill Macdonald will emcee. The event will also include a panel discussion with Jeanie Buss, executive vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers, Marge Hearn, wife of former Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn, and others to be announced.

"While most people have heard of the Triangle Offense, many don't have a deep understanding of what it is or what it has done for the game," said Jeanie Buss, Lakers executive vice president and event speaker. "This will be a great opportunity for guests to get a 'behind-the-scenes' look at this famous strategy as well as the business of winning in the NBA. I think anyone who attends will walk away feeling like they had a real insider's look at this game."

Several levels of participation are available. Platinum ($25,000), Gold ($10,000) and Silver ($5,000) sponsorships offer a variety of benefits. Additionally, a few individual tickets are available at $500 each. American Express is the Presenting Sponsor and additional silver sponsors include Delta Air Lines, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Integrated Transportation Services (ITS), LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, Longo Toyota/Lexus and Penske Automotive Group, Majestic Realty, Nextel, Young's Market Company.

The evening's activities include the following: Free-throw practice on the court and tour of the locker rooms in STAPLES Center; Cocktail reception, buffet dinner and gift bags; and Basketball 101 program on the court and panel discussion. This is the second Basketball 101 event and follows on the heels of the highly successful NFL 101 and 201 events, also created by LASEC. "This event will create new basketball fans, and if you understand the game better, you'll enjoy it more," added Kathy Schloessman, LASEC president.

Proceeds from the event will be split between the Lakers Youth Foundation and LASEC. LASEC is the official organization for the City of Los Angeles to seek, host, promote and retain major sporting and entertainment events that positively impact the local economy by attracting visitors to the city, giving them a reason to stay longer and return more frequently. LASEC is a private, nonprofit organization and an affiliate of LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau.