- Title: USA: BASKETBALL - Lakers celebrate title with parade
- Date: 19th June 2009
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 17, 2009) (REUTERS) LAKER PLAYERS ON DOUBLE DECKER BUS MOVING DOWN PARADE ROUTE FANS CHEERING WITH PAN TO PARADE BUS LAKER PLAYER SMOKING CIGAR ON BUS FIRETRUCK ON PARADE ROUTE CARRYING LAKER GIRLS FANS CHEERING ON THE PARADE ROUTE BUS CARRYING LAKER PLAYERS FORMER LAKER GREAT KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR WAVING PUSH TO PLAYERS ON BUS POLICE ON BIKES WITH PAN TO END OF PARADE FANS SCREAMING LOUDLY (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANGIE MCCORD, OF LOS ANGELES, ON THE PARADE, SAYING "It was kind of nice to be here. I'm not a Laker fan, but I'm a basketball fan. I was glad to be here to cheer on the Lakers, how often does this happen." (SOUNDBITE) (English) KELLY VIGARO, OF LOS ANGELES, ON THE PARADE, SAYING "I've never been able to do this before, I'm glad I was able to do it." (SOUNDBITE) (English) RICHARD BROWN, OF LOS ANGELES, ON THE CITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TEAM, SAYING "Because of the history of the team, they have been successful for so many years, they've brought so many good times and players to the city that when you see something like this, that they are out and support the team for decades."
- Embargoed: 4th July 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7N6THZIPCSHA3NJFCJQAXZD40
- Story Text: Fans line up as Kobe Bryant leads parade that celebrates Los Angeles Lakers NBA title.
More than 100,000 joyous Lakers fans lined up early, filling the streets of downtown Los Angeles and jamming the Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday (June 17, 2009) for a parade marking the team's 15th NBA championship.
The Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the NBA finals in Florida on Sunday (June 14, 2009) to clinch the best-of-seven series and take the title for the first time since winning three in a row from 2000-02.
Wednesday's celebrations began at the team's Staples Center home and proceeded slowly along a two-mile route to the Coliseum.
"It was kind of nice to be here," explained Angie McCord of Los Angeles. "I'm not a Laker fan, but I'm a basketball fan. I was glad to be here to cheer on the Lakers, how often does this happen."
"Because of the history of the team, they have been successful for so many years," added Richard Brown, also of Los Angeles. "They've brought so many good times and players to the city that when you see something like this, that they are out and support the team for decades."
The stadium was packed to its 93,000 capacity as the Lakers faithful made up a sea of purple and gold.
"We feel this championship. We feel the energy of the city," All-Star guard Kobe Bryant told the fans. "We want to do this thing again and again so you know we'll be back next year ready to go."
Fan-favorite Bryant, the Most Valuable Player of the finals who could opt out of his contract and become a free agent, also drew a roar of approval by confirming he would return to the team.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who earned a record 10th title, thanked the fans for turning out in such numbers.
"We are humbled by your devotion and appreciation for us," he said.
On their way to the Coliseum party the Lakers passed through the streets of Los Angeles on purple and gold double-decker buses, escorted by police on motorcycles.
Workers in nearby office towers left their buildings for the celebration.
Police closed off streets around the stadium and said no more people would be allowed in, causing local media to voice concern the overflow crowd could get unruly.
Alcohol, bags, bottles, cans and weapons were banned from the Coliseum.
Police said several people were arrested before the party for throwing objects at officers and about 30 people were given tickets for stopping to take pictures on a nearby freeway.
There had been grumbling from employee unions and others that Los Angeles, which faces a deep budget deficit, should not be paying for the 2 million dollar (USD) party.
The parade went ahead when the Lakers agreed to pick up roughly half the cost, with wealthy private donors agreeing to reimburse the city for much of the remainder. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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