Another year, another Lakers-fan filled arena

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.