Looking back at the Lakers Training Camp days in the valley

Shortly after Dr. Jerry Buss became the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 he decided to make the valley the home of Lakers Training Camp. Buss owned the Ocotillo Lodge so the players stayed there while College of the Desert became the training site. That same season the “Showtime Lakers” were born with the 1980 NBA Championship. The fall trip to the desert continued until 1981 and then again from 1983-1987 which resulted in a total of five championships occuring in each of the years the season began in Palm Desert. They would return in 1991 but not again until 1997 which featured 2nd year pro Kobe Bryant, & 2nd year Laker Shaquille O’ Neal. Cody Krupp caught up with Shaq, former COD coach Ty Thomas, and a former player to take a look back.