-OT Going to my first Laker game tomorrow... SOME questions

[Speedlot]

I've been a longtime fan, but frankly could never afford to go. My girlfriend just surprised me with Laker V Memphis tickets. Woot woot.

I live in the Santa Ana are so the commute there is just about an hour.
For my first game, what should I expect? How's the traffic? Parking? What food is good in the stadium? What's good around it? How's the bathroom?! I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. Please share your first experiences with me. Tips greatly appreciated.

[Tommy Trojan]

LOL bathroom? what excites you about the bathroom that you are so eager to know? JK

well bathroom is about 10 min line to go in. Hmm food? there is an ESPN zone right outside maybe you want to catch some beer and to dinner there, a lot of Laker fans go there after the game.

Well there is no shortage of parking, you just need to pay for it. Unless you want to walk few blocks.

I suggest to go a bit early and find parking and just walk around the Staples Center is very nice now.

Let us know how it goes!!

[tiredandhungry67]

Well first off congrats
i am a season ticket holder, and one thing i want to point out is: don't spend too much time taking pictures
you'll miss a lot of the action
unless its the final shot, dont pull the camera out
also, when you go, get early to snap some pics with the magic statue, and just soak up the electricity outside before heading in.
as for parking, if you go down olympic, pass figueroa and then right away on your left, there is an alley
turn into it, and its $12 parking insteaad of $20-$25 in nokia and the car wash
for food, i am not sure about upper concourse, where the 300s are, but in the lower, the cpk is nice, the McDs is nice, and the general concession stands are good where they have booooomb nachos and beer and popcorn. don't worry about leaving like 2 min before halftime because the lines move fast so no need to get a jump on the line
overall bathrooms are freaking clean and nice.
the other thing is when standing in lines for entrance, they tell u to move down to the other small entrance.
don't go, because by the time you get there, you'd be in your seats already.
if i were you, get there about 6:15-6:30, go in around 7ish, settle, get some beer, etc... and watch it from when the opposing team comes out of the tunnel to warm up and when the lakers do.

trust me it's a blast the first time. i remember when i went, kobe hit the winning layup against phoenix with 3.2 seconds left to play and kidd missed the buzzer beater
its was amazing
hopefully you get your money's worth
but most importantly soak up the experience because it'll be the shortest 4 hrs i your life, so enjoy every second.

[Speedlot]

thanks thanks!! I'm absorbing all of your tips! I'm stoked! : ) Oh I turn 22 tomorrow. LOL

[DEEP3CL]

From Santa Ana to downtown LA shouldn't take an hour I don't care what time you leave. What freeways are you taking ? The quickest way is 405 to 710 to 105 to 110 , it just depends on what time you leave.

Have a nice time though.

[crazyeights]

Deep you just said you don't care what time you leave and then that it depends on what time you leave. I'm just curious how long it should take that way because whenever I drive downtown it easily takes an hour during the day.

[notinbtnet]

Best parking is all along 12th street. I can usually find street parking along 12th street as long as I get there before 7 pm. Its about a 2-4 block walk to staples (depending on your spot), not bad at all. If you can't find parking once you go past Hope, there are a lot of cheaper lots. Currently I think they are between $5 - $7 depending on the opponent/day of game.

The upper bowl is fine in terms of concessions. Have hot dogs, nachos, burritos, deluxe nachos, etc. Theres also McDonalds.

Best tip I can offer is if you are sitting in the upper bowl, take the stairs to exit instead of the escalator. The escalator line is ridiculous. Also, you can easily sneak back into staples from the Figueroa entrance if you want to get your taco/slurpee/chips&salsa coupons.

Hope that helps.

[Luxury]

Cool stuff man, I'm poppin my Laker game cherry also but on the 19th vs. the Warriors. Usually a good game when we're against them.

[authenticONE]

I'm also attending the game tomorrow as well. Section 107 Row 14 Behind the basket.

What section do you have? Kinda funny cuz my girlfriend surprised me with Laker Tix too..

As for arriving there early, Is it possible to get autographs from players before the game?

Or wat about the defenders game? Has anyone ever been to those and is it worth it to attend? Do they usually kick everyone out right after the defenders game or do they allow people to sit in their seat afterwards?

Last year I went to Pau Gasols first home game against the Atlanta Hawks and I saw Stu Lantz and chatted with him. Pretty cool dude.. I even asked him to sign a hat for my dad which was AWESOME.. So yeah..

I doubt there will be any big stars tomorrow but I hope to see some!!

[lakersfanatic]

Should be a good experience for you.

Food is always great regardless.. the atmosphere just makes it taste better lol.. honest
Bathrooms - if you're going with the misses, she's going to have to wait, for men it's faster
From Santa Ana, you'll hit traffic when you're near downtown, there's always traffic there, can't avoid it hehe
For parking, i usually just find some quick $10-15 place and side there are tons. THe closer you want the more it'll cost you.
Come early so you get to enjoy the crowd, the mood, the food, etc.

Oh yeah, and you have to walk around the inside and take pictures with all the blown up pictures of the players. Just too kewl hehe

last, enjoy...

i still can't believe you live in Santa Ana and haven't been to a Laker game. Even as a kid i put out $20 to sit in the nose bleeds. I didn't care if the players looked like ants, it was the atmosphere, the screaming hehe But money is money, i understand.

but i must warn one.. Once you go Lakers you can't stop hehe

[DEEP3CL]

Deep you just said you don't care what time you leave and then that it depends on what time you leave. I'm just curious how long it should take that way because whenever I drive downtown it easily takes an hour during the day.

Yeah I doubled up on that, basically though the first line was just being curious on what freeways you take from Santa Ana. The second line with the freeways I listed given what time he leaves( that's the question) should land him downtown in less than an hour. If you guys are trying to wing the 5 there then that's the problem in a nut shell. That freeway sucks.

[crazyeights]

No worries, man. Just busting your chops. But I'll have to try that route sometime, because traffic has been killing me.

[tiredandhungry67]

I'm also attending the game tomorrow as well. Section 107 Row 14 Behind the basket.

What section do you have? Kinda funny cuz my girlfriend surprised me with Laker Tix too..

As for arriving there early, Is it possible to get autographs from players before the game?

Or wat about the defenders game? Has anyone ever been to those and is it worth it to attend? Do they usually kick everyone out right after the defenders game or do they allow people to sit in their seat afterwards?

Last year I went to Pau Gasols first home game against the Atlanta Hawks and I saw Stu Lantz and chatted with him. Pretty cool dude.. I even asked him to sign a hat for my dad which was AWESOME.. So yeah..

I doubt there will be any big stars tomorrow but I hope to see some!!

well when i was at the spurs lakers game on sunday the 25th in january, i stayed for the defenders after, and it was decent. couple players cmae out, and i got some pics with mark jackson, who called the game, mbenga, sasha, michael finley, pop, and bonner. but i doubt they'll come out in this one because Dfenders play before the lakers.

as for autographs, be there like 3 hrs early, when the doors open. you're behind the basket, so i think it would be easy to walk to the tunnel and get somethign signed. but make sure u try to sneak a sharpie in ebcause when me and my friend brought ours, they took it at security check in since we gave it out. so hide it in a shoe or somewhere.

[hermes]

i don't want to be johnny raincloud but what if Speedlot and authenticONE have the same girlfriend

that would be awkward

[DEEP3CL]

i don't want to be johnny raincloud but what if Speedlot and authenticONE have the same girlfriend

that would be awkward

Off balance threesome............nasty

[Gus McCrae]

i live in Brea, just north of you and here's the best way to get there.


57 north
60 west
you'll pass the 5/101/etc.
freeway turns into the 10 W
exit Los Angeles Blvd.
stay in right lane, will curve around to the right.
make a left at the first light, you'll see Staples on your left. park anywhere, probably going to pay between $10 and $25 depending how close you want to be.

Have fun! It never hurts to pound a couple beers in the parking lot if you want to save some money. beers are $9-$11/each! and no, they're not yard glasses.

[islander009]

Speedlot, Hey have fun tonight at the game!!! I am sure there will be a ton of places to check out and be astonished once you enter the building. I am huge Laker fan born with P&G running through my veins. haha.

Hey Laker Fans out there, it will be my first Laker game as well on the 19th and I cannot wait!!! my girl got us tickets in the lower section, if you dont mind can anyone tell me how are the sights from the lower arena? i was also curious how lucky are we fans to get autographs if we get there early? anyone been lucky enough to get anyones autograph? or just pictures? are they strict with anything you bring in? best places to meet up with the players, possible pictures, or autographs. or even a seat near jessica alba or jack nicolson for photos. haha. well guys just like speedlot id really like to hear everyones experience on the games that they have been to, any advice would be great. I cannot wait to see the best team in the world, THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS!!!! thanks guys

[butter17]

When you get there, get you a long island ice tea you really will enjoy the game. LoL have fun.

[lakersfanatic]

I wonder how was his experience at the game today. I heard it was a sell out crowd.
Probably even more exciting now that we won hehe

[TonyMontana]

I wonder how was his experience at the game today. I heard it was a sell out crowd.
Probably even more exciting now that we won hehe

Here you go.................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWyVPv5tvt0