Laker fans receive a lot of flack simply based on the fact that Jerry Buss (the team’s owner) had the foresite in the eighties to inject entertainment into the Basketball experience.
Courtside seats filled with celebrities, the Laker girls and the infamous Forum club for post game drinks and conversation were all apart of a complete experience of Laker fans during the Showtime era. 20 plus years later and a lot of these same concepts are the standard at arenas across the country.
But people still feel as if Laker fans are ONLY about the glitz and glam. Case in point, Laker fans were recently voted as the worst fans in the NBA (really, not Miami fans who can’t ever be bothered to show up before halftime weren’t up for consideration?)
I guess those fans in the 300 levels of Staples Center are all reality stars who didn’t blow up? Don’t hate us because we know how to have a good time! I personally think it’s jealousy!
I supported the Lakers when it was Magic, Worthy and Kareem, I rode it out through the Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Mario Bennett term (see, I bet that’s a name you don’t even recall rocking the purple and gold.) And of course I’m front and center for the Phil Jackson, Kobe, Shaq and later Pau/Lamar
If you’ve never been to Hyde Lounge at Staples Center, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s a unique experience! Check out photos of it below: