THE PARADE

When you think of the purpose of pro sports, you think of something like this. What else can bond people together

like this?

BILL BERTKA,

LAKER ASSISTANT COACH

*

Basketball showed again today how it can span race

and color and everything.

MAGIC JOHNSON,

LAKER VICE PRESIDENT

*

It was amazing. I’m looking around thinking, isn’t anybody working today? Heck, it would have been a great time to steal

the bank.

PHIL JACKSON,

LAKER COACH

*

The thing about this town is, now that the Lakers have won, it’s only going to get better for them. A lot comes with this. These guys are all going to be big stars, bigger than they could ever imagine.

MAGIC JOHNSON,

LAKER VICE PRESIDENT

*

I’m probably happier than anybody else on this stage. I took a different path than everybody else. This is the seventh team I’ve been on, and I’ve finally come to a

team that won

a championship.

BRIAN SHAW,

LAKER GUARD

*

This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t even describe it.

DEREK FISHER,

LAKER GUARD

*

We want to say that when we get one [championship] next year, we just want to be safe, we want everybody to be safe and do the right thing because we’re going to get one next

year too.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL,

LAKER CENTER