USC student wins big at Lakers game
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A USC senior is cashing an NBA-size paycheck even though he never even played for the Trojans.
Robert Ward, 23, of Mission Viejo banked in a half-court shot to win $165,000 between the third and fourth quarters of Tuesday night’s Laker game. It was the first first time a fan actually hit the shot in the three-year history of the promotion, which is sponsored by the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas.
Of course, that’s all in a night’s work for other people who were in the building. Kobe Bryant rakes in over $259,000 per game, Pau Gasol earns about $184,000 and Lamar Odom makes $139,000. On the low end of the team’s payroll, Sun Yue is making only $442,114 this season. He has to play over 30 games to earn what Ward made with one shot.
The cherry on top of his winnings? A taco.
The Lakers beat Atlanta, 96-83, earning every fan in Staples Center a free taco coupon from Jack in the Box. The promotion kicks in every time the Lakers win at home and hold their opponent under 100 points.
Since we don’t have a video of Ward’s big moment, here’s another half-court shot from this weekend’s NBA All Star festivities. Rufus, the Charlotte Bobcats’ mascot, tossed it backward, over his head, and off the groin of Bango, the Milwaukee Bucks’ mascot.
That’s nothing compared to Michael Jordan or Larry Bird, but maybe Rufus could beat LeBron James.
No mascots were hurt in the making of this film (we hope).
-- Adam Rose