Lakers celebrate championship with 150,000 fans (Feature)

By Paul Levine Jun 17, 2009, 23:56 GMT

Los Angeles - The newly-crowned NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers had a victory party on Wednesday, and an estimated 150,000 of their closest fans came out to join in the celebration.

The Lakers won their 15th title by beating the Orlando Magic in Game Six on Sunday night, setting up plans for a parade to be initially paid for by the city.

However, they were met with opposition over concerns of spending a reported 2 million dollars amid weak economic times when foreclosures, huge California budget cutbacks and job losses were making the headlines.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa decided to open up the city's pocketbook for an estimated 1 million dollars, while the Lakers and AEG, which owns the Staples Centre, agreed to put up the other half.

However, in a feel good gesture, the private sector - the city's high rollers - reportedly picked up the city's portion.

Kobe Bryant and Co. began the parade at Staples Centre on double-decker buses as their adoring fans followed through the downtown's purple-and-gold lined streets as Randy Newman's classic hit, 'I Love LA,' blared through the loudspeakers.

It eventually ended 4 kilometres later in the LA Memorial Coliseum where an estimated 80,000 die-hards met them to partake in the party of all Lakers' parties.

Once inside, the sun-filled stadium felt like an earthquake tremor every time a member of the Lakers was introduced on the actual basketball court brought over from Staples Centre.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who won his record 10th NBA championship, thanked the fans for their undying support during the season.

'We are humbled by your devotion and appreciation to us,' he said.

Jackson explained the mindset of this year's team, especially after losing the 2008 Finals to the Boston Celtics on the same date in 2008.

'Winning is the culmination of a long journey, and everyone is a big step, but the ring was the motto,' he said. 'It's not just this band of gold it's the circle that's laid upon between all these players who have a great love for one and other. It's a great feeling.'

After a bitter-tasting summer, Lakers' big man Pau Gasol was savoring his first NBA Championship celebration and liking it.

'You guys are making our day,' he told the fans. 'You make things special.'

The personable Spanish star enjoyed the feeling of being world champions, so much, he wants more.

'We've got an amazing young group of people here,' he said. 'We're still hungry. We're not done yet. We want more.

'After experiencing what we experienced in the parade coming here and being in this beautiful stadium. We want to definitely offer you more. So be ready for it.'

Lakers veteran guard Derek Fisher, who along with Bryant was a key part of three championship rings to kick off the decade, says this one is a different feeling.

'It's different because of the guys behind me,' he said. 'This team is special. It's the most fun I've ever had on a winning team. We wanted to be the best, we are the best.'

Fisher got the giddy, but peaceful, crowd cheering when he asked, 'Everybody want to do this again next year?'

Bryant was all smiles after getting back to the top following a seven-year absence, with his fourth ring and first without former teammate Shaquille O'Neal.

'I've been here since 1996 and we won three championships,' the Finals MVP said. 'Now we're back on top, it's unbelievable.'

Bryant said the Lakers are primed to add more championship banners to the storied franchise.

'We have a young team a team that has lot of chemistry,' he said. 'We're all hooked. We feel this championship through the energy of the city and we want to do to this thing again and again. We'll be back next year ready to go.'

However, before the Lakers can began to build another dynasty, there are several burning questions that need to be addressed in the off-season.

Will Jackson return as coach? Will the Lakers resign key pieces of the puzzle in free agents Lamar Odom and or Trevor Ariza?

'I've built a bond with my coaches and my teammates,' Ariza said. 'We have a really good team and I think that we could be really good for a long time.'

And will Bryant opt out of his contract and look to sign elsewhere?

'Where would I go?' he asked. 'This is my home.'