Lakers riot: Walking through downtown Los Angeles after the NBA championship

See, downtown? This is why you can't have nice things.

You didn't have a real supermarket for 50 years until Ralph's opened in 2007. It's so nice; there's a dry cleaner and a Coffee Bean inside. And you know what's next door? Another Coffee Bean. Literally -- the next door.

Maybe having two espresso machines 100 feet apart made Lakers fans jittery after the team won its 15th NBA title in Orlando. A metal trash can went through a window of the coffee shop immediately east of Ralph's. Something else broke the glass door of a smoothie shop immediately west.

Most people don't realize it, but downtown is so full of wine bars these days that you can throw a rock and hit one. Somebody did, breaking another window. The owners of a different wine bar locked the doors and stood in front until late into the night. They didn't seem to be celebrating.

Shortly after the big win, revelers gathered outside Staples Center and, uh, trimmed trees to make kindling for a fire in the middle of the street. I know times are tough, but if you're trying to survive these cold Southern California summers, it's easier to put on a T-shirt.

I was standing between LA Live and Staples Center within an hour of the Lakers' victory. I was walking the streets a little further east as the LAPD struggled to chase the last of the knuckleheads from downtown. What should have been a proud moment for the redeveloped area was anything but.

LA Live is supposed to be our version of New York's Times Square. When I drove by on my way home, there wasn't a soul visible -- just some squad cars belonging to the officers who had run everybody away. It wasn't even midnight yet.

In the real Times Square, bars were still open -- even with the three-hour time difference. Last call can be as late as 4 a.m. in New York. Yet here in L.A., where the people had good reason to celebrate and gather at a monument to the city, it didn't feel there was anything worth toasting -- or anywhere open to do so.

This reaction is nothing new. I was staying in the Radisson Hotel at Figueroa and Exposition when the Lakers won a title over Indiana on June 20, 2000. Born in L.A., I was just about to move back and thought it was cool that the hotel parking lot became the turnaround for an impromptu parade that spanned 25 blocks from Staples Center, back-and-forth for several hours.

Later, I found out that two cop cars were set ablaze and that 11 people had been arrested.

Early reports from this year's mayhem indicate at least twice as many arrests. I didn't see any cruisers on fire, but I watched the LAPD try to put out blazes in a pair of dumpsters. Thick smoke choked the street about half a mile east of Staples, and I couldn't help but wonder if something you don't want to touch is even worse when you're breathing it in.

Speaking of bad smells, I was thankful that a porta-potty I passed wasn't on fire -- though it had been toppled onto its side.

The good news? Only a few of the hooligans were actually, well, hooligans. It seemed that the damage was done by a small number of people. And the LAPD showed a lot of restraint, and occasionally courtesy. A squad car pulled up next to me at a red light and the officer -- observing that I wasn't in a Lakers jersey or testing my horn with my fist -- politely called out, "Be safe out there."

On Wednesday, the Lakers and the city will split the cost for a victory parade, headed down a corridor where fans will come but might not be under normal circumstances. I would usually be shocked to see a Laker there, unless Lamar Odom was satisfying his sweet tooth at a fast-food joint or Adam Morrison was looking for a payday advance (at $4 million per year, you'd think he could dress sharper while sitting on the bench).

The Lakers have done a lot for this city. It's not just bragging rights for their 15 championships. It's the Staples Center and, as a result, LA Live. It's hope for a downtown area that used to have none. They deserve this parade. But do we?

Let this moment be a reminder to treat downtown a little better. If you've got money, spend some at one of the eclectic restaurants or bars. Help them stay open late, so people have somewhere nice to gather. If you're broke, support the community and check out a free event like an art walk, organized bike ride, or special museum night.

Or at least stop throwing metal trash cans at everything.

-- Adam Rose

First photo: Unruly Lakers fans damage a police car in front of Staples Center after the Lakers won the NBA championship. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Second photo: A mob destroys a car parked near Staples Center following the Lakers' championship-clinching victory in the NBA Finals. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Third photo: A trash can gets thrown on a car as unruly Lakers fans surround a car at Pico and Figuerora after the Lakers won the NBA championship. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Fourth photo: Unruly Lakers fans loot a shoe store near the Staples Center after the Lakers won the NBA championship. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Fifth photo: Unruly Lakers fans jump on and rock a passing car on Pico Boulevard after the Lakers won the NBA championship. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Steve]

This is LA, the hell hole city of the country. It is unique, unlike other major US cities where most people with brains and money live downtown, only scum live in downtown LA. Actually I thought it would be worse because LA is over due for a major annual riot. You could not pay me to go to a downtown event in the hell hole and I used to live there for the first 45 years of my life. I have friends who live in the OC for forty years and proudly claim that they have never been to downtown LA, 30 miles away and never will. When does it soak in to the mayor and others that LA is now a third world ghetto. Keep up the great job mayor

[Marcos El Malo]

@Steve: For all our problems, Los Angeles was greatly improved on the day you moved away. Thanks for making Los Angeles a better place by your absence.

[feckineejit]

Riots happen all the time, it's not like LA is special or anything. Sports fans tend to do stupid things when their teams win something.

[Brian]

"unlike other major US cities where most people with brains and money live downtown"

Ha, maybe NY and Boston, but that's about it. You should get out more...

[Raul the foreigner]

Hey someone needs to thank me for moving out of LA some forty years ago! Downtowm may be nicer than it was but it is still quite a pit, inhabited by "Malo" types who failed to learn impulse control in kindergarden and who are encouraged by politically correct fashions that encourage them to stay undisclipined and underperforming. I guess there is nothing Downtown for guy who have real jobs, never been on welfare, support order and respect private property. Steve I am working on forty years out of LA, am envious that you have me beat!

[tanas]

Glad, so glad to leave LA. If any of the two-legged rats try rioting in Shasta County they'll leave feet-first and at ambient temperature.

[TRACEY ADAMS]

I am disgusted with these people that do this. We are not an uncivilized society, so I thought. What makes these people think they can destroy, harm and react the way they did? Very disappointing. I know it will cost us as a city, not to have the parade. However if we do have it, we will be rewarding bad behavior and potentially be putting others in harms way. Cancel the parade for bad behavior on the part of the few who don't understand how to behave like civilized humans. Get a back bone LA. Nip this in the butt.

[Adrienne]

I think that instead of spending the money on a victory parade, the Lakers or the City of Los Angeles or whoever the entitiy (entities) are that would sponsor the victory parade should use that money INSTEAD to fix the damage these idiots made.

It sucks that all should suffer for the indescretions of others. A lesson needs to be learned here. I, for one, think the loss of a victory parade because a few people have no self control, would be a good lesson taught.

Post pictures on a website of the people who tore things up and have the Lakers personally thank their 'fans' for being the cause of the loss of the victory parade.

I would have more respect for the Lakers if they did this. Winning means nothing if your fans tear apart the city.

[Mike]

Any excuse to steal some basketball shoes or throw a garbage can through a police car windshield is a good one to the "basketball fans" of LA. I moved out of LA a year ago and I'm so glad It's over for me. It's not the LA Live thing or anything specific to downtown. It's the people. There are too many ghetto rats in that city. It's too hard to have a quality life.

[Mark]

What a great way to say thanks to the Lakers... by destroying the city. Judging from the pictures you would have thought the Raiders won!

[Paul]

Get that many illegals and homeboys in the same area and this crap will happen. Steve is corect and the immigrant bashing him is probably on of the rioters.
When a riot breaks out police should be given orders shoot to kill.

[Frank]

What a bunch of trash. We have trash like that here in Texas. However, we can carry firearms to protect ourselves.

[perezoso]

Really...really do these guys think they are cool? No wonder why so many people hate the Lakers. Their fans are Movie stars, bandwagons and thugs. People look read this around the world and think the animals escaped from the zoo!

[JM]

I live Downtown and I can tell you those guys (all captured in crystal-clear shots, so it should make it easier for the cops to find them, right?) don't live here. But, I'm really happy some pedantic hack can tell me this is why I don't deserve nice things, such as two Coffee Beans on one block. I've seen numerous Starbucks outlets on the same block in New York, and most people don't bat an eyelid.

I'm getting really tired of the Downtown haters like you. You sneer at the revitalization of our neighborhood and take the first opportunity to bash us when something goes wrong. Do I cheer when fires break out in hillside areas? And say they don't deserve houses in those areas? Stupid argument and disappointing to see the LA Times endorse such nonsense.

At the end of the day, this is the direct result of a bunch of immature guys drinking and watching a few millionaires dribble a ball around a court. The big guys win, so the drunks run around burning trees and cars, and looting stores. Maybe the Lakers don't deserve their fans. Stay on point and stop bashing my hood, ignoramus.

[Laura]

Downtown LA ROCKS. LA is the GREATEST city in the WORLD.... I consider myself BLESSED and PROUD to call So Cal my birthplace and LA my home. Steve, you're just a hater. Hard to believe you have friends in OC or anywhere with a sour, ugly attitude like that. LA is a wonderful blend of many, many different cultures and that is part of what makes it so special. GREAT WIN, LAKERS!!!!

[nike shoes online]

good news,

[O A]

Thanks LA for taking the spotlight off Detroit for being a city full of arsonists, looters, and idiots when something positive happens in the community. Let's see what happens if the Tigers win the World Series.

[Rick Robb]

Sic

[Xavier love L.A.]

@ Steve: Your ignorant and ill informed to believe that only people with money live in dowtown areas. Downtown is and will always be a place where all people gather including scum as you have put it, which sound like more of a self realization on your part.

Having a handfull of unrully fans is not new to any city in the world. In fact most cities are prepared for this type of celebration. Its not a preety site to witness but this is what happens in large cities, unfortunateley. However, it does not detract of the thousands perhaps millions more that celebrated at home at bars and at parties safeley.

I agree with Marcos, L.A. is better with out all of you and anyone else who doesnt apreaciate L.A.'s unique amazing vibe. As we Angelenos love to say if you dont Love it here, then you dont belong here.

Oh yeah, I Love L.A. Go Lakers!

[Laker's #1 fan]

this is for steve: Why you got to be such a Hater.? I dislike peolple like you..Can't stand to see people be Happy. But it's all good that you don't live in L.A.
LAKERS BABY....THE REST SUCK!!!!

[mike]

What do you do when children cannot behave well enough to have nice things? You take away the nice things. Now, while taking away the NBA title from the Lakers may very well cause more riots and exacerbate the madness further, perhaps if the Laker franchise was willing to step up and denounce this kind of "celebration" prior to the playoffs, it may be lessened to some degree. After all, it is just a game.

[Greg]

@ Steve: pretentious, misinformed, and sheltered morons like yourself are the reason I don't ever go to Orange County, the real cess pool of American culture. I loathe the day when OC starts infiltrating DTLA.

@ Adam Rose, the author: I would like to point out, the idea of LA Live being like Times Square, is laughable. It has and always will be more akin to Universal City Walk, Hollywood & Highland, or the Las Vegas strip. All prefab shine, no substance. The fact that the investors bill it as Times Square West has always rankled me, but I understand how you wanted to draw the comparison.

I'd also like to point out, that though Ralph's was the first large corporate super-market in Downtown, we have had plenty to choose from in the ways of incredible food markets prior, including the largest open air market in Los Angeles (Grand Central Market) and what used to be (before closing post-Ralph's) one of the best Asian Market's in LA: Mitsuwa.

Excellent photography work though. Perfectly captured the idiocy of last night's rioters (not revelers).

[Joe]

This whole story amazes me.
Why riot when your team won?
Any excuse to be thugs and show your true colors.
Way to go Laker Fans, I'm sure you make LA proud.

[Dollardogs]

If this had happened in Philadelphia, the national sports media would NEVER let us hear the end of it.

When is the country going to catch up on the fact that L.A. has the worst sports fans in the country?

[hamer12string]

Stay Classy LA!