Today is first day since Halloween that there were no college or pro basketball games, but there is still LA Laker news because today Lou Gossett answered claims that he owes the Lakers tens of thousands in past due ticket buys.

Yesterday you might recall we told you that the Lakers were suing the star for $40k for Premium Seats, a unique seat that allows the ticketholder to go to pretty much any sporting event held at Staples.

TMZ is now reporting that Gossett is saying that he was offered the package but declined it, and says that the signature on the contract is a forgery since he's not down with the Clip Show.

Gossett tells TMZ that he recalls being offered the Staples Center Premiere seats, which are good for nearly any sporting event at the arena for two years, but denies ever agreeing to take them -- adding that the signature on the "contract" he signed is a fake. What's more, Gossett says he hasn't been served with the lawsuit from L. A. Arena Funding which accuses him of deadbeating on the Premiere Seats, and that he first learned about the suit through the media.

The Oscar winner adds that he doesn't really give a layup about any other team that plays at Staples, other than the Lakers, whom he considers "family," counting Magic as a "good friend."

A Lakers rep confirms that Gossett has been a Lakers fan in good seating for "twenty years," and that he's fully paid up.

photo via movie screen shots