LOS ANGELES – U.S. military living and stationed in Southern California will be able to brush up on their basketball skills with the help of Los Angeles Lakers before three of this year’s preseason games. A special partnership between the Lakers and Pechanga Resort & Casino created the “Hoops for Troops” program in 2015. It’s back this year and offers the chance for 50 U.S. Armed Forces servicemen and women to receive tips from former Lakers player Brian Cook on shooting, dribbling and other skills before the games at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Oct.