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The Finals start now

Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff June 10, 2008 02:11 PM

LOS ANGELES -- The Finals start now, baby.

They do, at least, according to one Lakers fan in a white Kobe Bryant jersey, who yelled the phrase to no one in particular (and loudly) outside of the Staples Center this morning.

The Lakers' home arena was a ghost town last night, but it's bustling with activity this morning. Crews are still putting the finishing touches on the arena, but actual basketball fans have also shown up for tonight's Game 3 against the Celtics.

A line of about 25 people, clad mostly in Lakers' gear, snaked around the side of the arena near the entrance to the ticket window. The team often releases a limited number of tickets on game days, according to the fans and confirmed by a Staples Center employee working the ticket window.

Several fans said they had been here since 10 p.m. Monday evening, while others said they arrived at 6 a.m. this morning. All said they were optimistic about getting tickets and optimistic about the Lakers' chances in the series.

"It's going seven," said Ark Sardarov, a Lakers fan from Burbank who thinks the Lakers will win all three games in Los Angeles. "Although if they lose tonight, it's definitely over."

"Now your referees can't help you," said another fan, who declined to give his name but said he is from Inglewood and claimed to know Paul Pierce when Pierce was growing up. Check out his video at the bottom of this entry.

The fan was a little wary of Boston reporters, but he wasn't wary of hometown boy Pierce's affiliation with a Boston team.

"He still comes back here," the fan said. "He came from Inglewood. We can't be mad at him. He's got a job to do. But we know he's a Laker at heart."

  • We ventured over to Barry's Tickets, located inside the Holiday Inn across the street from the arena, to see how much seats were going for tonight. A pair of balcony seats will cost you $360 a pop, while a single seat in the lower level is going for $1350.

  • The smog was thick in the downtown this morning, but the skies have cleared in the noontime hour. It's another beautiful day here.



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    26 comments so far...

    1. I think the Laker fans are a little confused. The Finals started last Thursday and the Celtics won the first 2 games. I guess all that smog does a real mess on the brain.

      GO Celtics!!!

      Posted by Paul June 10, 08 02:27 PM

    1. I agree. Since L.A. fans can only understand scripts, they should read this one: Celtics win championship in 5.

      Posted by Nir Ben-Ari June 10, 08 03:44 PM

    1. I don't know which city (or fanbase) I hate more, Boston or LA? Both populations fail at life.

      Posted by tom@smith.com June 10, 08 04:01 PM

    1. Don't get ahead of yourselves celtic fans. You can't win on the road. Not even the officials can help you in L.A. Celtics and the fan will be dumbfounded next Tuesday when the Lakers seal the deal in Boston. Like how everyone predicted before the series...its gonna be Lakers in 6!!!!!!!! Maybe next year boston just like your Patriots.

      Posted by John June 10, 08 04:12 PM

    1. Hey Tom, must be hot down in Texas, eh? I think we have a charmed life here in Titletown

      Posted by Ralph June 10, 08 04:14 PM

    1. Can't think of ANYTHING more pathetic than some random non LA-Boston fan\resident, logging onto a Boston newspaper to voice how much he hates LA-Boston!!!

      You Sir, have FAILED AT LIFE!!!

      Posted by Observer June 10, 08 04:17 PM

    1. celtics are the most overrated team in the NBA (after the cavs). let's face it, east teams are a joke compared to the west. The Lakers will crush the celtics--even the jazz or spurs could have no problem. don't take my word for it, let's see what happens....

      Posted by tom June 10, 08 04:26 PM

    1. Well Tom@smith.com...No one asked you.

      Posted by Paul June 10, 08 04:27 PM

    1. It's over, Celtics will take game 3 in LA and then let LA save face by winning game 4 and 5 but Celtics take Gane 6 and the Series back in Boston, God told me so....

      Posted by toBigEd June 10, 08 04:35 PM

    1. The Lakers will crush the celtics--even the jazz or spurs could have no problem. (Said by out dim witted troll Tom, see post 7)

      Please go seek medical attention ASAP, get a CAT SCAN done on your brain, I think your slightly retarded and or have some brain damage.

      in closing, don't take my word for it, let's see what happens.....

      YOU FOOL!

      Posted by Observer June 10, 08 04:35 PM

    1. Tom-you should be an NBA analyst-You must have some great insight as to why the Lakers, Spurs, and Utah would "crush" the Celtics even though they have a combined 1-7 record against the "most overrated team in the NBA"...Kindly share it with us.

      Posted by Nir June 10, 08 04:51 PM

    1. KOBE BRYANT #24! is gonna drop 40 tonight! GUARENTEED!

      Posted by Yianni June 10, 08 04:51 PM

    1. Tom-you should be an NBA analyst-You must have some great insight as to why the Lakers, Spurs, and Utah would "crush" the Celtics even though they have a combined 1-7 record against the "most overrated team in the NBA"...Kindly share it with us.

      Posted by Nir June 10, 08 04:52 PM

    1. Observer - "you are retarded" is your response to him? Crap, you Boston guys really are swimming in shallow waters out there, aren't you?

      Posted by Ira June 10, 08 04:58 PM

    1. Yay Team!

      Posted by Dennis June 10, 08 05:07 PM

    1. "You can't win on the road"

      Pistons on Line One. Lakers from regular season on Line Two. The reasoning grows more desperate by the minute. "Lake Show in a sweep!" Er, "Lake Show in five. Stone!" Er, "Lake Show in six. We will crush you without 'your' refs, even though we can't be bothered going to the hoop and want calls on fadeaways and uncontested threes" Er, "18-1!!!"

      Funny to watch it unfold. We're ready to concede tonight's game based on Zen Master's politicking for a homecourt advantage (like the 43-16 edge the Lake Show enjoyed vs. Utah). If LA wins, big deal--the unwarranted makeup calls were pre-ordained. If LA loses, they're the laughingstock of the decade. Time for us Celts fans to sit back and enjoy tonight.

      Posted by ML June 10, 08 05:12 PM

    1. Team vs. One Man Game - you be the judge: Go Celtics!

      Posted by BasketBoy June 10, 08 05:15 PM

    1. GO SONICS!! I PREDICT SONICS IN 7 (years)

      Posted by BillyBoy June 10, 08 05:17 PM

    1. Losers always blame it on the Officials.

      Posted by Crowfoot from the country June 10, 08 05:20 PM

    1. The zebras won't be giving the Celtics the charity touch fouls after Sunday's officiating debacle. Celtics better hope they can score WITHOUT 35+ free throws.

      Posted by AW June 10, 08 05:29 PM

    1. Its amazing how when fans start screaming for help from the refs, they overlook the constant misses by "Kobe" . The Celtics have his number, and it just takes two in his face...hence..he is rattled. When the coach screams for ref help, and tries to minimize Paul Pierces injury, it becomes apparent they lack confidence in their team. The Law of Averages will give them @ least one , maybe two in L.A. Maybe they ought to have Phil come off the bench and utter words of wisdom to the refs, instead of critical comments? Amazing. Let the excuses from the West fly. Oh, and by the way, when Garnett REALLY sees the championship close to being secured, is there anybody on the Lakers who can stop him? Gasol? bwahahahahahahahaha

      Posted by Dave Shade June 10, 08 05:39 PM

    1. you ******* boston fans , go **** yourselves

      Posted by **** off June 10, 08 05:48 PM

    1. Hey...I hope the C's win and all...but damn, Im just glad they made the playoff's this year let alone the finals!

      Posted by Matt Thompson June 10, 08 05:53 PM

    1. I can't believe someone thinks the celtics are the most overrated team and would lose to the Spurs etc... Does anyone remember when the Celtics went into Texas and demolished the Spurs, Mavericks etc?

      Posted by JP June 10, 08 05:54 PM

    1. "KOBE BRYANT #24! is gonna drop 40 tonight! GUARENTEED!"

      I'm sorry, but you mistyped. Your message should read as follows:

      KOBE BRYANT #24! is gonna rape 40 teenage girls tonight! GUARENTEED!

      Yup, only a loser wuss Laker fan would cheer for a rapist.

      Posted by Send Kobe to prison June 10, 08 06:24 PM

    1. 21 years, I've been waiting for this!!!... Just hope both teams want this and give their performance of their life. I say take this to game 7, with Kobe scoring a 45 point game, KG having a couple of triple-double every game and a couple of buzzer beater!!!!... Can't wait for Game 3.

      Don't get basketball like this in New Zealand, unfortunately.

      Posted by From down under June 10, 08 07:56 PM
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