JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TO THE RIM—L.A. Lightning swingman Bryon Russell takes the ball strong to the hoop during last Sunday's game at Cal Lutheran. Russell played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association. A couple Los Angeles basketball teams won big games Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lightning, a pro team in the International Basketball League that plays its home games at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, reached a season-high in points during a 160-123 victory over Grand Rapids Flight.

Oh, and the Lakers won the NBA championship the same night.

Boasting a roster littered with former NBA players and international standouts, the Lightning (10-3) has been quietly playing solid basketball in only its second season as a franchise.

Although the Lightning has five regularseason games remaining before the playoffs begin, the players are not thinking about a championship quite yet.

"We still have to finish the season," said Bryon Russell, a 13year NBA veteran who is famous for defending Michael Jordan when the former Chicago Bull hit the game-winning jump shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

"We have two, three weeks left," Russell said. "Then we'll go from there."

The Lightning added four new players last weekend but did not seem to miss a beat.

Former UCLA star Toby Bailey played his first games of the season and notched the first triple double in franchise history with 24 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds Sunday.

Adam Parada, a 7-foot center from UC Irvine who plays for Mexico's national squad, had 21 points and 11 rebounds in his Saturday debut, and 22 points and 12 rebounds the next night.

Chris Ayer and former Clippers point guard Darrick Martin are the other new additions.

"I love staying in shape and playing in the summer," said Bailey, 33, who returned home after playing professionally in Germany.

"Hopefully we'll keep winning and win the whole thing."

Parada, 27, who plays professionally in the Philippines, has also played in Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Jordan.

"This is a well-put-together league with a lot of good players," Parada said.

The former Anteater wants to improve his defense of quicker, smaller post players along the perimeter.

"I can guard guys inside all day," he said. "It's when guys take me outside. . . . It's something I have to work on."

Russell, who is 38, enjoys the competitive banter of the IBL. He jawed with opponents and teased teammates. He even asked someone on the sidelines about the Lakers' score when Parada shot free throws.

"I love it all," Russell said. "It's all about having fun."

The former Utah Jazz and Lakers swingman said he plays basketball six days a week, taking only Fridays off, to keep his game sharp.

"I have to keep up with the young guys so they don't run circles around me," Russell said with a laugh.

Lamond Murray, another former Clipper, leads the Lightning with 25.3 points per game.

Kamran Sufi is second in the league with 12.4 assists per game.

Second-year head coach Ron Quarterman said easing new players into the lineup has been an easy transition.

"We have better talent this year," said the former Burbank High and Pierce College men's basketball coach.

"At this level, it basically comes down to basketball IQ. We all can play basketball, but do you know how to play basketball?"

The Lightning play home games June 20-21 at the Gilbert Sports Arena against the Phoenix Red Rock Raptors, and June 2728 against the Nevada Pride.

Saturday games start at 7 p.m., while Sunday games tip-off at 5:30 p.m.

After going 9-11 last season, the Lightning hope to make Quarterman's life enjoyable on the sidelines.

"These are good locker room guys," he said. "Things are flowing, there's no arguing. We're all on the same page."