Lakers Parade 2010!!!

It was off to the Lakers Parade 2010. First off, I have to admit this probably ranks worse of the four celebrations I attended. It was driven by two things. First, I had high expectations. I thought the buses were going to stop and there were going to be interviews along the way -- at least that is how I read the LA Times article posted over the weekend. There were interviews, but apparently for television, not the folks along the parade route (at least, where I was standing -- I noticed Kobe being interviewed as his bus passed on by). Second, I was on the wrong side of the street, because I think most of the starters were on the other side of the bus.

Before heading off to the parade route, I turned on KTTV/1070 AM and learned that there weren't any portable bathrooms along the route. Some guy was offering his bathroom for $5. That stopped the water drinking and my using of a toilet before getting onto the Red Line. I got onto the Red Line at around 9:30 a.m. It was packed with fans.

I got to the Staples Center and was met with the following crowd.




With more folks exiting from the Blue Line.



I decided to walk south and ended up around here. Note: The nearest police officer was rather cool. Talking with the fans. It was almost likely zooming back in time, a neighborhood cop that you now only see in old 1930s movies.

Though I found one thing interesting regarding the police and fans. A police officer was coming around with a video camera, filming the audience. The audience would cheer like crazy. I was like, why would you do that, you know they're filming us to use as potential evidence should anything illegal happen.



Fisher for President and a Kobe is better than Shaq posters.



Kobe/Championship Banner.



First sight of buses.



Cheerleaders.



Cheerleaders.



Cheerleader.



Trophy.



Magic -- a bit blurry, because the bus train was going pass so quickly, sorry for being a bit irritated with that.



AC Green.



Kareem.



And the bus passing.



I have to say that even though I don't give the parade a big thumbs up, there is something about just being along the parade route. It is one of those city events that I think everyone should attend sometime in their life. This is Los Angeles. All the cultures (admittedly, a younger age demographic) and doing so peacefully.

And the folks I was near, we actually had some small talk. A guy walked by with a Celtics banner crossed out and I attempted to take a photo of it along with another guy. He turned to me and asked, "Did you get that." I replied, "No, all blurry." And at the end, I was asked to take a photo of his group of friends.

A reporter surrounded.




Tattoo: A guy with a crossed out LAPD on his head and a line that read, "My mind plays tricks on man."


See LA Times article for some additional thoughts on the parade.

Los Angeles Lakers Parade!!!

A friend and I took the Red Line from Western and Hollywood. There was an e-mail question put out there regarding getting a $5 day pass. We didn't do it. At the ticket machine, a group of fellow fans were having a similar debate on getting a day pass. They were considering walking from the parade route to the Coliseum. They had a similar plan as I did, which ultimately failed.

We met up with some other friends around 23rd street. Below is the pre-parade crowd.



A couple Lakers flags. The high flying makes me think about an ancient military battle field where victors are hailed after a long fight.



The police were constantly going up and down Figueroa. From what I could see, people were well behaved -- except for one stupid move by a large group of people.



The first sign of the Lakers.



Here are the fire engines with the cheerleaders.



So those firemen are lucky, no?



Here we go.



Close up shot.



More closeup shots.



A very closeup shot of a cheerleader. I think she's looking directly at the camera don't you think? I quickly figured out that when I tried doing super closeup shots, the vehicles were moving way to quickly to capture a perfect shot.



The band.



The band again.



A final cheerleader.



Here come the players.



Gasol saying we're number one.



I think Kareem is looking directly at the camera.



Farmar talking to someone.



I think Kobe is looking directly at the camera, as well.



Kobe and family. And the mayor off to the side.



The crowd heading on an unfulfilled march towards the Coliseum.



Crossing an overpass. Fans were screaming. Cars were honking horns.



A car showing all out support.



Okay, here's where you have stupid people trying to walk onto the freeway. There should have been some police at this entrance. Oh well.



My view of the Coliseum.



I always thought these people only hung out at the AIDS Walk. Just kidding.



I think for the most part, the police were cool as well as the fans.



Hey, if you couldn't get into the Coliseum, why not catch what you can on the television.

This was an over-all great day even though I couldn't get into the Coliseum. I guess it was closed down by 10 a.m. The last times the Lakers won, I saw the parade on Figueroa and then just walked to the Staples Center and when everyone got settled there was still some space for additions fans. I guess this one was much more popular.

Interesting: Councilwoman Jan Perry was complaining about how the city had no money for a parade. The costs were covered by private donations and the LA Lakers. But when I was watching the Coliseum ceremony later in the day via DVR, I couldn't help but notice she was doing the pre-Lakers celebration warm-ups. Politicians do love the attention even if they have initial reservations about something.