The Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission (LASEC) and over 400 business, entertainment and sports industry leaders stepped back into the classroom on Jan. 16 for a lesson in Basketball 101.

Now in its fourth year, Basketball 101 is an officially sanctioned NBA and Lakers event aimed at providing a fun and interactive experience for both diehard and casual fans that want to learn more about the game they love.

Phil Jackson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Derek Fisher headed an impressive list of Lakers legends that were on site at to teach those in attendance about the intricacies of the Lakers’ defense.

Former Lakers Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis, current player Jordan Farmar, Coach Tex Winter, Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, broadcaster Bill Macdonald and retired NBA referee Hue Hollins were also on hand to share their knowledge of the game.

“This is the fourth annual Basketball 101,” said Buss. “It’s something that has grown every year and evolved. The intention was to never have to burden the Lakers’ staff during the season, but the Lakers’ staff decided that this was something they really wanted to be involved with.”

The event began with a silent auction with autographed Lakers basketballs, jerseys and Lakers, Clippers and Kings tickets up for bidding. After a brief cocktail reception, fans were invited to step onto the Lakers’ court for free throw practice.

During the actual Basketball 101: Defense is Key instructional session, attendees surrounded a specially formatted STAPLES Center half court where Jackson, Farmar, Jabbar and Rambis went through several simulated plays from the Lakers’ playbook, with the rival Phoenix Suns as their mock opponent.

“It’s just a way for fans to have a more intricate look at how we work and get behind-the-scenes,” said Jackson. “It’s good for them.”

“I think it gives them a little more of an understanding of the duties and the responsibilities of the players and the coaches on a daily basis…what goes into a scouting report, our philosophy on defense,” said Shaw. “It’s obviously not a course, but a quick, brief introduction into what we do.”

The night concluded with a Bill Macdonald-led panel discussion in which each of the honorary guests were asked questions about past, present and future events—ranging from matters both on and off the court.

“It’s a good opportunity for us and the fans to go mingle,” said Rambis. “It’s good for us to get points across offensively and defensively so they understand aspects of the game that we’re trying to get across to the players, hopefully give them a better understanding of the game so they can see it in a different light, make the game more enjoyable for them if they see some things that we’re trying to do out there.”

In addition, fans were granted the opportunity to take photographs with the Lakers’ Championship Trophies and the Lakers Girls.

While Basketball 101’s primary goal is to help attendees better understand the game of professional basketball so they will enjoy it more, it also duels as a “friend raiser” with all proceeds benefiting the Lakers Youth Foundation and LASEC, both nonprofit organizations.

“For the community, we’re raising money for our Lakers Youth Foundation with a silent auction,” said Buss. “Half of the proceeds from tonight’s event will go to Lakers Youth Foundation, which has the mission statement of helping the youth of Southern California and promoting the game of basketball so it all kind of fits together.”

LASEC seeks to drive tourism and increase economic growth by specifically attracting major sports and entertainment events to the L.A. area.