Results tagged “Los Angeles Lakers” from Ontario Now
The Los Angeles Lakers game at Citizens Business Bank Arena Tuesday night drew more than 9,000. people.
And while there were no celebrities, typically seen at a Staples game, the defending champions did have some well-know Inland Empire residents sitting courtside.
I spotted developer Randall Lewis with one of the best seats in the house, which was a couple of seats away from half court. Then there was Ontario Planning Commissioner Frank Lizarraga who was sitting under the basket closest to the Lakers bench.
My understanding is that seats on the floor at Tuesday night's game were going for as much as $300.
But as sports editor Lou Brewster pointed out, the best seat in the house was probably Lakers coach Phil Jacskon's custom-made seat. The chair looks like a regular folding chair, just taller, to accommodate Jackson.
And about five minutes before the third quarter ended, the crowd erupted in cheers. They weren't applauding the Lakers girls, who were dancing on the court at that time but rather the arrival of Pau Gasol and Luke Walton who did not play.
The duo was greeted by other players on the bench. But I thought it was fitting that as they arrived and a sea of camera lights flashed, a Britney's Spears song was playing.
The chorus of the song, "All eyes on me in the center of the ring," was quite fitting for the moment.
The crowd couldn't get a enough of the Pau, anytime his face was splashed on the screen, fans would erupt in cheers and applause.
But the announcer really got the crowd going when he did a roll call, asking residents cheer anytime their city was called out. To my surprise, Fontana had a good representation.
I'm sure among those yelling Tuesday night was Colton resident self proclaimed "Super Lakers Fan," Paul Sewell.
I spotted Sewell just before the game started not only wearing a jersey but two foam fingers and black goggles.
Turns out, the goggles are "hater shades," that make Sewell invisible to any Laker haters, he said.
This was the first time Sewell was catching the game at the arena, he said tried last year but he couldn't get tickets on time.
"I'm going to petition to the NBA to have at least two Lakers game during the season here," he said.
Sorry, Sewell I don't think that will happen.
But judging by the near sell out crowd, it's probably a safe bet to say the Lakers will be back at the Arena.
The Ontario Reign, affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and AHL Manchester Monarchs, have announced their schedule for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.
Before their season gets underway the 2009 NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers will be coming back to the arena for a preseason game.
The newly crowned champs will face the Golden State Warriors on Oct 20 at 7 p.m. Last I checked there were still some tickets available.
To purchase tickets visit www.cbbankarena.com
For more information on Reign season tickets visit www.ontarioreign.com
All eyes will be on Citizens Business Bank Arena as the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder play an exhibition game in the first event in the new building Thursday night.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"This is a great way of letting people know there is such a great venue here in Southern California," said Sue Oxarart, the arena's director of marketing.
When officials learned that the game would be nationally televised, Oxarart said it was "the icing on the cake."
But fans across the Inland Empire, such as Ontario Councilman Alan Wapner, were holding their breath earlier this week when it seemed that Lakers star Kobe Bryant would miss the game because of an injured knee.
When he heard Bryant is expected to play, Wapner let out a sigh of relief.
That news will make the experience a little more enjoyable for Wapner who bought four floor tickets behind a basketball hoop.
"I'm anxious and excited about the event," Wapner said.
Doors for the Lakers game will be opened an hour before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
Preparations for the game started Wendesday with a conversion crew covering the ice rink and installing the basketball court.
The arena has also been prepared for hungry fans as concession stands are fully-stocked.
The seats are clean and staff has been prepared to make the experience the best possible for the community as well as the performers, Oxarart said.
Saturday night marks another first for the $140 million arena, as it will be the home opener for the Ontario Reign, a minor-league hockey team affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.
When the Lakers game is over, the conversion crew will spend the next couple of hours preparing for the ice for the hockey game, Oxarart said.
While tickets are sold out for the Lakers game, there are still tickets available for the Reign's home opener with Las Vegas.
"The Ontario Reign is the local team everybody has been waiting for," Oxarart said.
For those heading out to either game, Oxarart suggests they visit the arena's fan guide section on their Web site at www.cbbankarena.com.
There they can learn such things as tailgating not being allowed in the parking lot.
While the exhibition game is the first major event at the arena, officials with AEG Facilities have already lined up music acts such as Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins.
The arena has been dubbed by many in the community as the entertainment icon of the Inland Empire, partly because there is no other arena within a 40-mile radius, Oxarart said.
Aside from the hockey games, the goal is to hold about 125 events that range from concerts and family-oriented events to sporting events.
"It is a dream come true," Wapner said.
The 225,000-square-foot arena is in the 4000 block of Ontario Parkway.
For more information, call (909) 484-2020 or visit www.cbbankarena.com
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"This is a great way of letting people know there is such a great venue here in Southern California," said Sue Oxarart, the arena's director of marketing.
When officials learned that the game would be nationally televised, Oxarart said it was "the icing on the cake."
But fans across the Inland Empire, such as Ontario Councilman Alan Wapner, were holding their breath earlier this week when it seemed that Lakers star Kobe Bryant would miss the game because of an injured knee.
When he heard Bryant is expected to play, Wapner let out a sigh of relief.
That news will make the experience a little more enjoyable for Wapner who bought four floor tickets behind a basketball hoop.
"I'm anxious and excited about the event," Wapner said.
Doors for the Lakers game will be opened an hour before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
Preparations for the game started Wendesday with a conversion crew covering the ice rink and installing the basketball court.
The arena has also been prepared for hungry fans as concession stands are fully-stocked.
The seats are clean and staff has been prepared to make the experience the best possible for the community as well as the performers, Oxarart said.
Saturday night marks another first for the $140 million arena, as it will be the home opener for the Ontario Reign, a minor-league hockey team affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.
When the Lakers game is over, the conversion crew will spend the next couple of hours preparing for the ice for the hockey game, Oxarart said.
While tickets are sold out for the Lakers game, there are still tickets available for the Reign's home opener with Las Vegas.
"The Ontario Reign is the local team everybody has been waiting for," Oxarart said.
For those heading out to either game, Oxarart suggests they visit the arena's fan guide section on their Web site at www.cbbankarena.com.
There they can learn such things as tailgating not being allowed in the parking lot.
While the exhibition game is the first major event at the arena, officials with AEG Facilities have already lined up music acts such as Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins.
The arena has been dubbed by many in the community as the entertainment icon of the Inland Empire, partly because there is no other arena within a 40-mile radius, Oxarart said.
Aside from the hockey games, the goal is to hold about 125 events that range from concerts and family-oriented events to sporting events.
"It is a dream come true," Wapner said.
The 225,000-square-foot arena is in the 4000 block of Ontario Parkway.
For more information, call (909) 484-2020 or visit www.cbbankarena.com
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