Fans Get a Look at Staples, but Not at a Laker Title

There were no Jack Nicholsons or Dyan Cannons in the building, and the Lakers were playing in Indianapolis, not Los Angeles. But that didn’t stop 14,563 fans from coming to Staples Center to watch Game 5 of the NBA finals Friday on four big-screen TVs.

Most fans left disappointed that the Lakers didn’t win. But there was also a sense of optimism as fans chanted, “Bring it home! We’ll take it on Monday!”

“I wish they would have won it today, because I was here for all the excitement,” said Laker fan Jennifer Nadarro, sporting her team jersey and cap. “But I know they’ll bring it home and win it here.”

The free event provided a nice opportunity for many who had never been to Staples. That included Jose Ruiz, who waited in line for three hours for tickets.

“This is great!” he said. “It’s like being at a real game. The kids are so exited.” Ruiz was surrounded by seven kids in painted faces, waving Laker signs and banners.

The crowd was excited early in the game. The Laker girls got the crowd on its feet and dancing. Fans chanted after every Laker basket.

Vic (The Brick) Jacobs, local radio personality, said the event was an evening for the common fan: “What you’re feeling now is raw Laker passion. I’ve been to hundreds of Laker games. But the atmosphere here today is more raw. It’s right from the heart. There are no floor seats. There is no one making deals on the court. It’s pure energy.”

But the crowd grew quiet when the Lakers were down by 20 points. Disappointed fans started leaving in the middle of the fourth quarter and only a few stayed until the end. “You’ve got to have Laker pride. Ride it ‘til the end,” said Ivan Arellano, like so many at Staples Center for the first time. “I was expecting them to close it out tonight. I wanted to go to the parade on Monday. I’ll guess I just have to wait. We know for a fact that they are going to win. It’s a no-brainer.”

Ticket demand for the event was high. It took less than 10 minutes Thursday morning for the free tickets to be handed out.

“The goal was to recreate an actual game experience,” said Michael Roth, Staples Center’s director of communications. “We’ve been thrilled by the fact that so many fans who had never been to a Laker game, got a chance to see the building.”

Fans had to pay for parking, and concession stands were open. The proceeds from both will benefit two charities--Staples Center Foundation and Lakers Youth Foundation.