Lakers parade: Celebrating with Kobe et al

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From the Coliseum:

When Kobe Bryant was introduced, he strolled out, bounding from side to side, a smile on his face. The fans began to chant, ‘MVP ... MVP .. MVP.’

‘We’re going to keep on rolling,’ Bryant said.

Bryant can terminate his contract this summer. He was told that he won’t be allowed to go anywhere.

‘Where I’m going to go?’ Bryant said. ‘This is my home.’

The crowd roared.

When Lakers Coach Phil Jackson spoke, all wanted to know if he was coming back next season. Jackson smiled but never answered.

He did have one thing to say.

‘Personally, I want to thank Jeanie Buss for encouraging me to come back and coach this team one more time,’ Jackson said about his girlfriend, the team’s executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers.

Lakers forward Pau Gasol thanked the crowd, in English and Spanish. Gasol then talked about the Lakers repeating as NBA champions.

‘We’re not done yet,’ Gasol said. ‘We want more. We want more.’

-- Broderick Turner

Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant celebrates while on stage during the Lakers’ NBA championship victory rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press