Lakers vs. T'wolves at Staples Center
On Monday, May 31, 2004, I had the opportunity to attend Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Staples Center, and watch the game from a skybox. The following are some of the photos I took from my vantage point. Some of them are a little on the fuzzy side - I did the best I could with my trusty little point-and-shoot digital camera! Many thanks to my good friend Michael Frank, who took me along as his guest. Being that the Lakers won the series on this night, it was an experience I will not soon forget!
We arrived at the arena at 4:15 pm - two hours before tipoff. Since we had skybox tickets, we were able to enter via the V.I.P. door (muy chingón!) and get to our area before everyone else was allowed to enter the arena, so the stands are totally empty.
A few Laker players shoot around as other pregame preparations are going on all around them
The guitar player of the National Anthem performing duo (didn't catch who they were) rehearses at midcourt
The musicians do a complete run-through of the National Anthem
Derek Fisher practices his free throws...
... and gets his game face on
The view to my right...
...and to my left
"The calm before the storm"
Laker players are joined by T'wolf players warming up on the court
The fans begin to filter into the arena
The Lakers begin their official pregame warmup routine
Another pregame warmup shot
Karl Malone takes a shot as seen on the big screen
They're just about ready to go!
The Laker Girls are in the house!
"Oh, say can you see..."
The T'wolves are introduced...
and the screens come down for the Lakers' introductions
Kevin Garnett does his pregame powder ritual as Kobe says hi to everyone at the press table
Shaq and KG get set for tipoff
Time out on the floor
There isn't an empty seat in the house!
Kobe's about to shoot a free throw
Nice concentration!
Shaq gets set to miss his free throws
More Laker Girls!
A close game as the third quarter winds down
Latrell Spreewell waits for Derrick Martin to come around for the ball
The Lakers confer during a timeout
Two Laker fans get their groove on
Kobe looks for an open teammate
Can't get enough of those Laker Girls!
Another timeout as the fans begin to smell victory
Electricity is in the air!
Here's the situation with 6:41 to play
Another timeout as the fans oblige the scoreboard's request
The Wolves try to get a rally going...
...but the Lakers just keep on scoring
The fans are on their feet
24.8 seconds to the Finals!
The game is over, the fans go crazy, and purple and gold streamers fall from the ceiling
Victory madness at midcourt
Let the celebration begin!
Victory hats and t-shirts are given out...
...and Kobe tries his on for size
D-Fish and Kobe celebrate
The Lakers are the 2004 Western Conference Champions!
Here's what we faced as we exited the arena... dozens of 'em! What the heck does the guy on the left have a lot of? I ask now, but I didn't want to know then...
My buddy Michael wisely advises me to steer clear of the forces
...and a good (peaceful) time was had by all
We arrived at the arena at 4:15 pm - two hours before tipoff. Since we had skybox tickets, we were able to enter via the V.I.P. door (muy chingón!) and get to our area before everyone else was allowed to enter the arena, so the stands are totally empty.
A few Laker players shoot around as other pregame preparations are going on all around them
The guitar player of the National Anthem performing duo (didn't catch who they were) rehearses at midcourt
The musicians do a complete run-through of the National Anthem
Derek Fisher practices his free throws...
... and gets his game face on
The view to my right...
...and to my left
"The calm before the storm"
Laker players are joined by T'wolf players warming up on the court
The fans begin to filter into the arena
The Lakers begin their official pregame warmup routine
Another pregame warmup shot
Karl Malone takes a shot as seen on the big screen
They're just about ready to go!
The Laker Girls are in the house!
"Oh, say can you see..."
The T'wolves are introduced...
and the screens come down for the Lakers' introductions
Kevin Garnett does his pregame powder ritual as Kobe says hi to everyone at the press table
Shaq and KG get set for tipoff
Time out on the floor
There isn't an empty seat in the house!
Kobe's about to shoot a free throw
Nice concentration!
Shaq gets set to miss his free throws
More Laker Girls!
A close game as the third quarter winds down
Latrell Spreewell waits for Derrick Martin to come around for the ball
The Lakers confer during a timeout
Two Laker fans get their groove on
Kobe looks for an open teammate
Can't get enough of those Laker Girls!
Another timeout as the fans begin to smell victory
Electricity is in the air!
Here's the situation with 6:41 to play
Another timeout as the fans oblige the scoreboard's request
The Wolves try to get a rally going...
...but the Lakers just keep on scoring
The fans are on their feet
24.8 seconds to the Finals!
The game is over, the fans go crazy, and purple and gold streamers fall from the ceiling
Victory madness at midcourt
Let the celebration begin!
Victory hats and t-shirts are given out...
...and Kobe tries his on for size
D-Fish and Kobe celebrate
The Lakers are the 2004 Western Conference Champions!
Here's what we faced as we exited the arena... dozens of 'em! What the heck does the guy on the left have a lot of? I ask now, but I didn't want to know then...
My buddy Michael wisely advises me to steer clear of the forces