Tear gas in the air, choppers in the sky, and a few hundred screaming fans...Welcome to Staples Center. Last Sunday, the Lakers won the NBA Finals against Orlando, and my boyfriend and I were right in the middle of the action at ESPN Zone across the street from Staples. It was pretty much a blowout. We new our team was going to win from the get go. But, the real celebration began after the victory. L.A. loves to riot and reek havoc, I tell ya. Burning bushes and rows upon rows of fans turned into family. The love for your team transcends all ethnic, financial and age barriers; and for a short period of time, we all belong. Cops came, of course. SWAT threw tear gas into the crowds, and we did no disperse. They shot fireworks into the crowd (blowing up right in front of my face) and still we did not disperse. For love and basketball, we poured our hearts in celebration of joy our beloved team must have felt at that moment...we wished they were here with us.
