Best moments in Lakers championship parade history

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The last few championship parades have usually provided some type of memorable moment to discuss the next day. Since Wednesday’s festivities lacked anything fans will remember years from now, below is a list of moments etched in Lakers lore:

Take Coach Pat Riley’s speech in 1987. After defeating the dreadful Boston Celtics, Riley guaranteed the Lakers would win the title again the following year – a lofty goal considering no team had repeated as back-to-back champions in nearly two decades at that time. The Lakers edged the Detroit Pistons, 4-3, to make good on that promise.

In 2001, Mark Madsen graced the podium with his enthusiasm, adding a twist to a familiar line made by Riley. Madsen, affectionately known as the Mad Dog, declared the Lakers would win it again next season – in Spanish. The Lakers did, sweeping the New Jersey Nets to complete the Three-peat – ironically a term trademarked by Riley in the late 1980s.

Following an epic seven-game series against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Western Conference Finals – highlighted by Robert Horry‘s buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game 4 – Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal declared: ‘Sacramento will never be the capital of California. Los Angeles is the new capital of California.’

Then there was the infamous dance routine by Madsen, who shared his experience with The Times. As O’Neal supplied his rendition of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two,” Madsen showed off some rather, um, interesting dance moves. It seemingly paved the way for other players to rap and dance on Parade Day.

Check out NBA TV’s compilation of the top 10 “Parade Moments.’

-- Mario Aguirre