''This article is about the people called professionals. For the movie, see The Professionals. For the TV series, see The Professionals.

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A professional provides a service in exchange for payment in accordance with established protocols for licensing, ethics, procedures, standards of service and training/certification. A professional is a member of a licensing body which is legally established within the laws of a given state, county, province or nation.

The term "professional" is widely used to refer to individuals with recognized expertise within a field of endeavor even though they are not a member of a licensing body or legal entity. The distinction between professional sports and amateur sports simply refers to how the athlete is funded. Similarly the distinction within creative pursuits between professional and amateur becomes somewhat grey.

Historically, behaving professionally would indicate that the person's actions remain in accordance with specific rules, written or unwritten, pertaining to behavior, dress, speech, etc. By extension, the adjective professional identified somebody recognized for expertise or skill in a craft or activity.

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L.A. Times - Basketball

Lakers, Kobe Bryant beat Bucks at the buzzer
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Bryant scores the last seven points, including a jumper with no time left Bryant scores the last seven points, including a jumper with no time left.
Pau Gasol proves to be quite the hot shot
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Lakers forward had been unhappy with his lack of touches, but he gets plenty against Milwaukee and scores 26 points. Lakers forward had been unhappy with his lack of touches, but he gets plenty against Milwaukee and scores 26 points.
Chris Kaman and Baron Davis are potent combo in 120-95 Clippers victory
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
They combine for 36 points in rout of Minnesota, as their growing alliance contributes to chemistry of the team. It's 'the kind of game we want to play,' Mike Dunleavy says. They combine for 36 points in rout of Minnesota, as their growing alliance contributes to chemistry of the team. It's 'the kind of game we want to play,' Mike Dunleavy says.

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