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The metal sign said “Laker Country” and for the better part of Wednesday, downtown Los Angeles belonged solely to the 2009 NBA World Champion Lakers.
How could you tell?
Maybe it was the way construction workers suddenly stopped pounding nails to wave to the players as they rolled by atop double-decker buses. Or perhaps it was how the car salesmen at Felix Chevrolet suddenly forgot about deals and bargains as the Lakers entered the intersection of Figueroa and Jefferson streets.
A telltale sign might have been the sea of purple and gold that colored the streets from Staples Center to the Coliseum, colors worn by the fans that got up early to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned champs. Crowds 20 deep jostled for spots along the parade route.
The thousands of purple, white and gold balloons festooned at Staples Center and the Coliseum, along with the handmade signs, t-shirt vendors and cars jammed in and around the surrounding neighborhoods were another hint that something different was happening in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Different indeed.
The Lakers had not won an NBA title for seven years and the parade-starved fans showed up by the thousands to revel in the Lakers’ first title since 2002. The Lakers wrapped up the championship Sunday with a 4-1 series victory against Orlando.
The city held similar post-victory celebrations in 2000, ’01 and ’02, but the energy and size of the crowds didn’t compare to Wednesday’s gathering that concluded with a rally at the Coliseum.
Kobe Bryant said this year’s title was more special “because we went through so many dark years.”
James Fagfoosintu and girlfriend Caroline Ursillo drove in from San Fernando Valley at 6 a.m. to celebrate with their favorite team.
“It was well worth the wait,” Ursillo said. “We wouldn’t have missed it.”
Fagfoosintu, who sports a Lakers logo tattoo on his left calf, said the team better stay intact.
Or else.
“They better,” he said. “L.O., Ariza and Brown. I want them all back.”
The Valley couple was just two of an estimated 80,000 people who crammed into the Coliseum and waited for the buses to arrive from Staples Center, where the parade began. After the team’s coaches, players and their families boarded, the buses followed a 2.2-mile route down Figueroa Street to the peristyle end of the Coliseum, where the team strolled down a long flight of purple stairs to the court.
The stage was the Staples Center court, brought over, piece by piece, from the arena.
“I first want to say to the crowd that we are humbled by your devotion and appreciation,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “The energy in Los Angeles and outside of the L.A. basin is amazing.
“We hope you celebrate creatively and respectively.”
The team and city officials were hoping to avoid a replay of the looting and vandalism that occurred Sunday night that led to 18 arrests. Holding the rally at the Coliseum was a way to avoid some of the mayhem of the large and energetic, but well-behaved, crowd.
Many people were turned away by stadium security when the Coliseum reached capacity by 10:30 a.m. Officials eventually opened to other sections to accommodate more fans.
“Next year, we’re camping out,” said Noe Uraja, who drove in from Riverside at 4 a.m.
Like the fans, the Lakers said they expect to win more titles down the road. That is, if the team stays intact.
Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom are free agents, Bryant can opt out of his contract and there is speculation whether Jackson will finish out his contract next season.
Both Ariza and Odom want to stay, as does Bryant, who told the crowd, “This is my home. Where else am I going to go?”
Bryant, who won rings in 2000, ’01 and ’02, was greeted by chants of “MVP!” “MVP!” as he approached the front of the stage. Bryant was named MVP of the Finals.
“We’re back on top,” he told the frenzied crowd. “It’s unbelievable. This team has a lot of young players and we’ll be back next year for sure.”
Derek Fisher, also a member of those three championship teams, said the celebration felt different from the previous ones held in front of Staples Center because of the other players.
“This is the closest group of guys I’ve ever played with. That is why we are here today,” Fisher said.
Pau Gasol, who arrived a year ago in a trade with Memphis, also credited his teammates for getting him his first NBA title. He, too, promised more titles — in English and Spanish.
“I’m just doing my part,” he said. “But what we experienced being in the parade and being in this beautiful stadium, we’re still hungry. We want more…we definitely want to offer you more. You better be ready for it.”
The city was ready for it, too.
In the three days following the Lakers’ clinching victory, much was made of the estimated $2 million cost in the face of a failing economy and a city that is a half-billion in debt and facing layoffs and furloughs.
Private donors, however, stepped up and underwrote most of the cost of the police and clean-up. The Lakers and AEG funded the production costs of the parade and rally.
And the purple-and-gold clad fans showed their appreciation for the parade and rally by showing up in huge numbers.
