Staples Center announces 10 greatest moments
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The general manager of Staples Center on Thursday revealed what more than 25,000 fans voted as the 10 greatest moments in the history of the 10-year-old facility.
The venue opened with a Bruce Springsteen concert on Oct. 17, 1999, and even though ‘The Boss’ has moved back to the Sports Arena, because of better acoustics and possibly for sentimental reasons, Staples has attracted more than 2,500 events, including 1,187 basketball games, 432 hockey games, 19 boxing matches, 226 concerts and 10 Grammy Awards shows.
Perhaps I’m biased being The Times’ boxing writer, but I’m a bit surprised the great Shane Mosley-Oscar De La Hoya bout of 2000 isn’t on this list. Perhaps that speaks to the depth of outstanding events the facility has provided.
10. Kobe Bryant scores 81 points, Jan. 22, 2006: Came against the out-manned Toronto Raptors, a sensational effort.
9. Britney Spears’ Circus Tour, April 16-17, Sept. 23, 2009: The train wreck was over, and people clearly enjoyed the comeback story with more than 50 dancers and acrobats.
8. U2 Vertigo Tour: April 5-6, Nov. 1-2, 2005: All four shows were sold out for the Irish band that routinely thrills with its massive songbook.
7. WWE Wrestlemania 21, April 3, 2005: Batista beat Triple H to win the heavyweight title. That’s Triple H, not HGH.
6. Garth Brooks Concert, Jan. 25-26, 2008: The country star returned to performing in five concerts for victims and firefighters affected by the fall 2007 fire season. I won’t vouch for many celebrities or pro athletes, but this guy’s the nicest superstar I’ve ever met.
5. ‘Frenzy on Figueroa,’ Kings defeat Red Wings in Game 4 of Western Conference Quarterfinals, April 18, 2001: Eric Belanger scores overtime goal to cap Kings’ three-goal, third-period deficit. Fans hoping for a repeat of the good times this month.
4. Kobe to Shaq Alley-Oop/Comeback in Western Conference Finals Game 7, June 4, 2000: Lakers rally from 16-point fourth-quarter deficit en route to Shaq’s first NBA title.
3. Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service, July 7, 2009: Staples had the world’s attention as the singer was saluted in song and compelling tributes by fellow stars and his children.
2. Travis Pastrana’s Double Back Flip at Summer X Games 12, Aug. 4, 2006: Dude, you see that? How many times was that said after Pastrana dared to accomplish a motorcycle trick that had never been performed in the competition’s history?
1. Robert Horry’s Game-Winning Shot in 2002 Western Conference Final, May 26, 2002: Horry, whose legend was built on big shots, found a ball tipped away from the Sacramento Kings’ Vlade Divac, fired and gave the Lakers a one-point win that tied the series 2-2. The Times’ Bill Plaschke reported, ‘Luck, luck, luck. And so what? There is no asterisk for luck. There are no penalties for luck.’ A third straight NBA title would come down the road.
-- Lance Pugmire
