staplesnba

Los Angeles D-Fenders

2006-08-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Eric E for alerting me to and sending me the new Los Angeles D-Fenders logo released late last week. While I was busy salivating over the Snakes On A Plane logo, Eric was busy doing my job. Keep up the good work!

I didn't expect much from the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the D-League (how clever!) after seeing the Anaheim Arsenal and the Bakersfield Jam logos, but this is even worse than expected. However, before you slam this logo too hard, you have to ask yourself, what is the mission of the D-Fenders? What do the Lakers expect out of their minor league franchise?

The Lakers will be using the D-Fenders almost solely as a developmental tool. The team will be playing at the Staples Center either before or after Lakers games, kind of like a junior varsity high school squad. I haven't quite figured out the details yet, but I would assume that somehow they will work it so that if you have a Lakers ticket for that night, you can attend the D-Fenders game for free.

Because of this, unlike the Arsenal or Jam, the D-Fenders don't necessarily have to have a unique, creative identity to market themselves. Attention and attendance is not going to be an issue. The Lakers don't expect the D-Fenders to cultivate their own fan base. They are banking that this will be a great way to develop talent under a hand picked coaching staff, and as a bonus, give diehard Laker fans something extra to care about.

So even though this is an atrocious name and logo, it doesn't really mean jack squat. The Arsenal and Jam's decision to go cheapo could very well impact their future. The only thing that will affect the D-Fender's future is if the Lakers decide that developing their own players on their own team is worth the investment.

My guess is that the answer will be a resounding "yes" and the D-Fenders will ultimately be the model franchise for the D-League both on the court and in the stands. All the while the Jam and Arsenal will hemorrhage money in front of 400 fans a game and be lucky to play a second season.

Life size statues of people in LA

2006-08-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

There are a few life-size statues f real people in the City of Los Angeles that are out in public for the whole world to see. Some are prominently featured, some are part of larger collections, and some are hidden away for the viewer to "find." Here's the list of those of which I'm aware. Are there others in the City? in a building? a private collection?

County Court House/Civic Center:
Joseph Scott
George Washington
Christopher Columbus

Staples Center:
Ervin "Magic" Johnson
Wayne Gretsky

Olvera Street:
Fr. Junipero Serra
Carlos III, King of Spain
Don Felipe de Neve

Carthay Circle:
Daniel O. McCarthy, Pioneer

Lincoln Park:
Emiliano Zapata
El Cura Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Florence Nightingale
Augustin Lara
Benito Juarez
Emperor Cuauhtemoc
Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon

Chinatown:
Jeanne d'Arc (at the French Hospital)
Dr. Sun Yat-sen

NoHo:
Amelia Earhart (in North Hollywood Park at the corner of Magnolia and Tujunga, known as Amelia Earhart Square)
Lucille Ball
Jack Benny
Johnny Carson
Jackie Gleason ("smaller than life")

Reseda:
Isaiah (at the Jewish Home for the Aging)

Mission Hills:
Father Junipero Serra (at the Mission)

Hollywood:
Charlie Chaplin
Mae West
Dorothy Dandridge
Anna May Wong
Dolores Del Rio
Marilyn Monroe ("smaller than life")

Van Nuys:
Fernando

Thomas Star Middle School:
Kneeling Native American

Venice High School
Myrna Loy (currently being restored)

Loyola High School:
St. Ignatius Loyola
Fr. Junipero Serra

LMU:
Fr. Junipero Serra

UCLA:
Jackie Robinson

Cal State LA:
Confucius

USC:
Tommy Trojan
Fray Junipero Serra

Lafayette Park:
Marquis de Lafayette

Pershing Square:
Beethoven

Mid-City:
John Wayne
Jules Bastien Lepage (LACMA)

MacArthur Park:
General MacArthur
Prometheus
General Harrison Gray Otis

San Pedro:
Stephen M. White

Griffth Park:
Col. Griffith J. Griffith

Chatsworth:
"Movie Cowboy" with lariat

Little Tokyo:
Sontuko (Kinjiro) Ninomiya - Peasant Sage of Japan
Shirnran Shonin
Chiune "Sempo" Sugihara

Besides the full-body statues above, there is a collection of busts of real people, as well, scattered across the City. Again, here is my list below; and again, fill in the missing pieces of real people made into busts:

Exposition Park:
Louis Kossuth (the Hungarian Patriot)

Civic Center:
Abraham Lincoln (Courthouse)
Benito JuÃ¡rez (City Hall)
Margarita Maza JuÃ¡rez (City Hall)
John Ferraro City Hall Council Chambers)
Tom Bradley (City Hall Tower)

Lincoln Park:
Abraham Lincoln
General Ignacio Zaragoza
Pancho Villa
Guadalupe Victoria
Lic. Jose Lopez Portillo
Dona Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez
J. Jesus Gonzalez Ortega
Venustiano Carranza
Lazaro Cardenas del Rio
Ramon Lopez Velarde

Griffith Park:
James Dean
Leif Erikson

Transit Gateway Building:
Nick Patsouras

John Marshall High School:
John Marshall

Windsor Square:
Harold A. Henry

Miracle Mile:
Captain Allan Hancock
A.W. Ross
Pierre de Wiessant (LACMA)

Carthay Circle:
Juan Bautista de Anza

Los Angeles Urban League:
John W. Mack

Echo Park:
Jose Marti

UCLA:
Ralph Bunche
Franklin D. Murphy

USC
Rufus B. Von KleinSmid
Andres Bello
Gregor Piatigorsky
Zohrab Kaprelian

NoHo Arts District:
Danny Thomas
Bob Hope
Milton Berle
Red Skelton
Rod Serling
Eric Sevaried
Frank Stanton
Sylvester 'Pat' Weaver
Sid Ceasar
Mary Tyler Moore
Bill Cosby
Norman Lear
Ernie Kovacs
Joyce Hall
Leonard Goldenson
David Susskind
Fred Coe
Paddy Chayefsky
David Sarnoff
William S. Paley
Phil Donahue
Barbara Walters

The Library's site is also a good resource if you're looking for statues in the region.

Liberal "compassion" evicting homeless center...

2006-07-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

...because Ted Hayes happens to be a republican. He also happens to be a black man. We all know that black republicans cause liberals to slip a cog and go into a vicious slurring attack mode.

Read about it here ...What is the cause of this phenomenon of Democrats persecuting Republican Blacks? What is it that the Democrats don't want Black folks to understand about Republicans? What is it that the Democrats don't want American Blacks to know about Democrats? There seems to be so sort of cover up going on.

Even homeless people are punished for their political persuasion to Republicanism.

Case in point! I happen to be the founder and director of the most unique, progressive and innovative homeless facility in the United States known as the Dome Village located in downtown Los Angeles, only 2 blocks from the World renown Staples Center.

The Dome Village with its 35 residents of homeless men, women, children and American Veterans along with their animal pets are being "evicted" from the privately owned property.

Apparently, the reason for the sudden eviction by the landlord is due to my political beliefs and activities.

You see, though I am America's leading homeless activist, roles that usually have been reserved for liberals, I am "a conservative" Republican and an avid member of the GOP and strong supporter of President Bush, particularly his foreign and middle east policies (Afghanistan / Iraq).

Recently, I was invited to address the Bel Air Republican Women's Club. After the landlord read an article in the Los Angeles Times about my visit with these wonderful ladies, he immediately raised the rent from $2,500 to $18,330 a month. In essence an eviction notice.

I called the landlord asking about the seriousness of his notice, his reply was shocking. In his blind rage, he blurted that the cause of the "eviction" was that I am a Republican.

Along with several other nasty remarks about my political affiliation, he said that as a Democrat, he was tired of helping the Dome Village, and went on to say that if I was such a Republican and the Republicans care so much about me, let them help the homeless.

He is punishing homeless peoples simply for my expressed political beliefs. We have all been preached to by Democrats that theirs is the political party of compassion and tolerance. Right!

I have no contention with the landlord over his need for the land to sell or develop, or not. That is no concern of mine. It is my emphatic belief that the rights of private property owners are to be protected. I will defend and support him on that matter without question.

I will not seek to divest him of his property. In fact, though I could tie him up in court, I will not do such a dishonorable thing.

Had he simply said to me that he wanted his property back for whatever reason, of course, I would have said "absolutely" without hesitation, because that was our agreement 12 years ago.

However, he foolishly allowed his political prejudice and disdain for Republicans to drive him to enough madness to say the unspeakable, "Because you are Republican."

It appears to me these Republican hating Democrats have a special disgust for Blacks who choose be Republican. This phenomenon of Republican hating Democrats having a special disgust for Black Republicans is growing throughout the Democratic Party and needs to be stopped, it is un-American. They are condoning interracial philosophical prejudice – blacks hating blacks because of ideas. It's almost as bad as the current scourge of interracial lynching where blacks are killing blacks in the gang wars...

Tour schedule! (Oh, and a little news, too...)

2006-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

As announced by Ryan Seacrest during tonight's...er, interesting Idol show, the tour schedule has just been released. You can check it out here or scroll on down:

(Links go to venue membership/mailing list pages, if available; otherwise, link is venue's home page.)

6-Jul

Manchester, NH

Verizon Wireless Arena

8-Jul

Worcester, MA

DCU Center

9-Jul

Hartford, CT

Hartford Civic Center

11-Jul

Albany, NY

Pepsi Arena

12-Jul

Hershey, PA

GIANT Center

13-Jul

East Rutherford, NJ

Continental Airlines Arena

15-Jul

Long Island, NY

Nassau Coliseum

18-Jul

Wilkes Barre, PA

Wachovia Arena

19-Jul

Cleveland, OH

Wolstein Center

21-Jul

Rochester, NY

BlueCross Arena

22-Jul

Philadelphia, PA

Wachovia Center

23-Jul

Atlantic City, NJ

Boardwalk Hall

25-Jul

Bridgeport, CT

Arena at Harbor Yard

27-Jul

Pittsburgh, PA

Mellon Arena

28-Jul

Washington DC

Verizon Center

29-Jul

Richmond, VA

Richmond Coliseum

30-Jul

Greensboro, NC

Greensboro Coliseum

1-Aug

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Bobcats Arena

2-Aug

Columbia, SC

Colonial Center

3-Aug

Duluth, GA

Arena at Gwinnett Center

5-Aug

Sunrise, FL

BankAtlantic Center

6-Aug

Tampa, FL

St. Pete Times Forum

8-Aug

Birmingham, AL

BJCC Arena

10-Aug

Nashville, TN

Gaylord Entertainment Center

11-Aug

Columbus, OH

Value City Arena

12-Aug

Milwaukee, WI

Bradley Center

13-Aug

St. Louis, MO

Savvis Center

15-Aug

Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Arena

16-Aug

Detroit, MI

Joe Louis Arena

18-Aug

Louisville, KY

Freedom Hall

19-Aug

Chicago, IL

Allstate Arena

20-Aug

Peoria, IL

Peoria Civic Center

22-Aug

St. Paul, MN

Xcel Energy Center

26-Aug

Los Angeles, CA

Staples Center

27-Aug

Anaheim, CA

Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim

29-Aug

Sacramento, CA

ARCO Arena

30-Aug

San Jose, CA

HP Pavilion at San Jose

1-Sep

Portland, OR

Rose Garden

2-Sep

Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Dome

"Sale information to follow", they say. We'll be on top of things as best we can. Get those credit cards ready! (And if you'd like tour news sent to your inbox, check out our "presale tips" post from a few days ago for some handy addresses.)

Edited 4/29: All tickets for the general public go on sale May 20th at 10 a.m., except:
Worcester, MA and Pittsburgh, PA--May 19 at 10 a.m.
Los Angeles , CA and Anaheim, CA--May 21st at noon

Bookmark the official tour page at AmericanIdol.com for the latest information.

Other bits and bobs culled from the boards:

Via the ongoing "Any news from Nashville?" thread at the official boards, here's a bit of gossip from The Tennessean about where Bucky was spotted last Friday, along with a cameo by Constantine Maroulis.

Bucky will be appearing on Greensboro/High Point's Fox 8 Morning News bright and early this Thurdsay; "you will be able to call in with your American Idol questions for Bucky", the site promises. Should be fun! (We bet there'll be a great discussion at Rawkhands.org after the fact...)

Finally, a truly dazzling new Bucky fan/tribute site is up and running; tons of photos and goodies, and its own message board, too. Enjoy! (Very graphics intense; dial-up users may need a little patience.)

More tour news as soon as we can find it--can't wait to see what the summer holds!

Tour schedule! (Oh, and a little news, too...)

2006-07-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

6-Jul

Manchester, NH

Verizon Wireless Arena

8-Jul

Worcester, MA

DCU Center

9-Jul

Hartford, CT

Hartford Civic Center

11-Jul

Albany, NY

Pepsi Arena

12-Jul

Hershey, PA

GIANT Center

13-Jul

East Rutherford, NJ

Continental Airlines Arena

15-Jul

Long Island, NY

Nassau Coliseum

18-Jul

Wilkes Barre, PA

Wachovia Arena

19-Jul

Cleveland, OH

Wolstein Center

21-Jul

Rochester, NY

BlueCross Arena

22-Jul

Philadelphia, PA

Wachovia Center

23-Jul

Atlantic City, NJ

Boardwalk Hall

25-Jul

Bridgeport, CT

Arena at Harbor Yard

27-Jul

Pittsburgh, PA

Mellon Arena

28-Jul

Washington DC

Verizon Center

29-Jul

Richmond, VA

Richmond Coliseum

30-Jul

Greensboro, NC

Greensboro Coliseum

1-Aug

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Bobcats Arena

2-Aug

Columbia, SC

Colonial Center

3-Aug

Duluth, GA

Arena at Gwinnett Center

5-Aug

Sunrise, FL

BankAtlantic Center

6-Aug

Tampa, FL

St. Pete Times Forum

8-Aug

Birmingham, AL

BJCC Arena

10-Aug

Nashville, TN

Gaylord Entertainment Center

11-Aug

Columbus, OH

Value City Arena

12-Aug

Milwaukee, WI

Bradley Center

13-Aug

St. Louis, MO

Savvis Center

15-Aug

Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Arena

16-Aug

Detroit, MI

Joe Louis Arena

18-Aug

Louisville, KY

Freedom Hall

19-Aug

Chicago, IL

Allstate Arena

20-Aug

Peoria, IL

Peoria Civic Center

22-Aug

St. Paul, MN

Xcel Energy Center

26-Aug

Los Angeles, CA

Staples Center

27-Aug

Anaheim, CA

Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim

29-Aug

Sacramento, CA

ARCO Arena

30-Aug

San Jose, CA

HP Pavilion at San Jose

1-Sep

Portland, OR

Rose Garden

2-Sep

Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Dome

Teenaged Wasteland

2006-07-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Let it be known: I've officially outgrown my hard rock phase.

I saw Pearl Jam perform live last night at the Great Western Forum. A little L.A. history for ya -- this is where the Lakers and Clippers used to play before the Staples Center was built. Ingelwood is still known as the "City of Champions," and I can't imagine how the town's economy has faired since the team sport migration. But, it's still a good venue for concerts.

I don't know much about Pearl Jam. I know they have a guy in their band named Stone and that their drummer used to play for Soundgarden (my band of choice in that grungy, Seattle-based pantheon). I remember the video for Jeremy and the only song of theirs that I really like is Evenflow. But I respect them as a band. They have routinely stood against things they believe unjust -- from Ticketmaster's "unfair" ticketing policies to the follies and foibles of our current Washington Administration. Their longevity and outspokenness is something that's not seen often in the music industry these days.

I could appreciate it musically, but still, the concert was a bit lost on me. There were so many blissed out fans there, screaming out every word to every song. And there I was, standing there with my hands in my pockets, bopping around as if I too were a loyal and devout disciple of Eddie Vedder. Truthfully, I went because my roommate had an extra ticket and my evening was clear, huh.

Despite my general ignorance of the band and the fact that Eliz and I had to literally dodge the marijuana smoke** rising up from the folks seated in front of us, the show definitely had some highlights. Tim Robbins (yes, that Tim Robbins) came out to perform an acoustic set with Eddie. I didn't know Robbins could carry a tune, but the song was, in a word, tuneful. The band also closed with a cover of The Who's "Baba O'Reilly" with the house lights up as Matt Cameron did his best Keith Moon impersonation. That was pretty rockin'.

**And about that marijuana smoke: there were so many young people smoking dope at this show. Am I naive to think that the majority of people my age do not do drugs? If the concert was any indication, the majority of them do. This makes me sad. Aren't young people supposed to be enjoying life, why go through it in a self-inflicted purple haze?

What Would Frank Gehry Do?

2006-07-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

A big yawn has greeted the news that Marriott and Ritz Carlton will build a combination hotel/condo across from the Staples Center.

According to an article in Los Angeles Business, “Marriott Hotel Services will be the operator of the 876-room Los Angeles Marriott Marquis which will house the Los Angeles Convention Center, while Marriott International's (NYSE: MAR) subsidary Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. will run the 124-room Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Los Angeles, which will be located on top of Marriott Marquis.”

The illustrations recall the dullest corporate styles of the 1960’s, like something along New York’s Avenue of the Americas or our own Century City. How could they propose something that banal in 2006? Is Donald Trump on the Ritz Carlton board of directors?

Perhaps the hotel suits have not heard of a man named Frank Gehry. He has shown that a building must look like a piece of couture. It should flow with sensual abandon, caressing the steel structure as a silk nightgown caresses a woman’s body. It must be nipped and tucked and hemmed and taken in various places. The façade must never be rendered in right angles. It must bend and weave, whirl and gyrate so that the materials seem to be a living, breathing protoplasm.

What would Mr. Gehry do with the rigidly dull Ritz Carlton/Marriott project? Why he would put the Gehry stamp on it! It would have to be diaphanous, visionary, ethereal.

If he walked into the hotel chain headquarters and got his hands on the blueprints….

He would rip the façade of right angles right off and shake it out and when he sewed it back onto the building it would be so beautiful that it could walk down the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere.

Here's the thing.

2006-07-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

01) In China, it's Yao Ming, Chow Yun-fat, and Zhang Ziyi. In America, it's Ming Yao, Yun-fat Chow, and Ziyi Zhang.

02) Though they share a common history with Russia, Belarusians and Ukrainians are NOT Russians.

03) It is not a good idea to have alcohol beverage companies sponsoring gay pride events. "We're here! We're queer! We're here for the beer! And wasabi-flavoured vodka! And Captain Morgan on the rocks!"

04) I get pissed off every time I see a movie poster and it's a sexy, no-talent whore who gets the glamour shot, right in the middle. It's not about you, bitch!

05) Missionaries who try to convert people to religions that espouse a disrespect for minorities and other peoples are just as worse as terrorists who do their acts in the name of their religion.

06) I HATE SKINNY WHORES IN HOLLYWOOD. You know who you are.

07) "Desperate Housewives" is more conservative than the FOX News Channel and right-wing AM talk radio put together. That it's created by a gay Republican who doesn't know shit about women and domesticity makes it even more hard to swallow.

08) Jennifer Aniston is an overrated, skinny, no-talent bitch. America's fascination with her proves that our country has no taste.

09) I HATE HIP-HOP. At least, the hip-hop of today.

10) Why did CNN Headline News sell its soul and put gas-bag Glenn Beck on? He makes Nancy Grace look positively tolerable by comparison.

11) Ryan Seacrest is not, has never been, and will never be the next Dick Clark.

12) Jamaica is the most homophobic nation in the free world. I'm surprised that gay bashing hasn't been made a national sport. Hey mon, drop the ganja and stop bashing queers!

13) The modern standard of beauty: glamazons nipped and tucked and sucked of fats, toxins, personality, and intelligence.

14) Why doesn't the city of San Francisco have a world-class entertainment venue? New York City has Madison Square Garden. Los Angeles has the Staples Center. But the City by the Bay doesn't. And no, the Cow Palace doesn't count.

15) Celebrities should give their children real names, not ones that will force them into therapy down the line.

16) Girls should be given real girls' names, and boys should be given real boys' names. I'm tired of hearing about girls named TAYLOR, GRIER, MADISON, ADDISON, etc.

17) Mary Cheney, that makeover can only get you so far. Have you ever considered a makeunder?

18) FUCK. YOU. TOM. CRUISE. And your little whore Katie Holmes, too.

19) Why are so many gay porn sites celebrating straight men having sex with other straight men? Gay porn fans deserve better. You don't see lesbians flocking to see Jenna Jameson eating out Tera Patrick, do you?

20) Playgirl is not meant for gay men. Playboy is not meant for lesbians. Playgirl is ENTERTAINMENT FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN. Playboy is ENTERTAINMENT FOR STRAIGHT MEN. There is no real gay or lesbian equivalent, unless you count Unzipped and On Our Backs.

21) For the past 24 hours, I have had trouble sitting down without feeling any pain. Why? My ass is bleeding and I don't know why.

22) Any man who stars in gay-themed movies and plays gay characters but says that homosexuality is against his religion should neither be idolized nor employed in the entertainment industry, Ryan Carnes.

23) I don't care if people are going insane over The DaVinci Code. All I care is that the movie is good and that the book won't bore me to death.

24) American Idol needs to rely less on gimmicks and more on talent. It is a search for a superstar, so it should only be their money's worth to get someone who has talent.

25) Barebacking should be made a felony. Safe sex should be made the rule.

Convention Center Hotel Design Unveiled! South Park Remains ...

2006-07-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

The good news is that Downtown Los Angeles gets both a convention center hotel and its first 5 star hotel.

The bad news is that the project is yet another bland, corporate architectural firm designed box. While London and New York - not to mention most US cities - are hiring world class architects for many of the projects, other than Frank Gehry on Grand Avenue and a handful of other projects, downtown - and South Park and LA Live in particular - are becoming architectural black holes.

L.A. Convention Center to Get Major Hotel Tower

The complex would give downtown the magnet for business conferences it has lacked for years.

By Annette Haddad and Kimi Yoshino Times Staff Writers June 13, 2006

The remaking of downtown Los Angeles will gain a crucial missing piece today when developers unveil plans for a 1,000-room hotel complex — including a five-star Ritz-Carlton and a four-star Marriott Marquis — for the Convention Center.

Rising 54 stories, the $750-million project would be one of the largest buildings in Los Angeles at 2 million square feet. The proposed 124-room Ritz-Carlton would be the first five-star hotel downtown and, with the largest ballroom in the city, the planned 876-room Marriott Marquis would fill a void as a business meeting hub at the Convention Center.

The hotels are to be topped by 216 luxury condominiums. The project, scheduled to open in 2010, would anchor L.A. Live, the 27-acre sports-entertainment complex considered the linchpin of downtown's redevelopment.

It has taken two decades to land a major convention hotel, but the agreement by Marriott International Inc. with local developers to operate two luxury inns in the same glitzy Las Vegas-style high-rise raises hopes for reestablishing the city center as a top tourist and convention magnet.

"All of this is really a wonderful story about the emergence — and reemergence — of downtown Los Angeles as a strong economic center and a strong weight to the region's economy," said Stuart Gabriel, a USC professor and director of its Lusk Center for Real Estate.

The complex — with its upper stories to be sheathed in glass — is being jointly developed by KB Home, which is building the condos, and AEG, which is owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz, the developer of Staples Center.

It is being designed by San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler.

2006-05-09T23:38:00.000-07:00

Pasadena City Council voted unanimously to place a measure on the ballot aimed at luring a team to the Rose Bowl.

It proposes giving the league rights to play at the stadium for 25 years in exchange for a 500-(m) million dollar stadium renovation, 500-thousand dollars a year in rent, and other considerations.

City Councilman Chris Holden says passing the measure would relieve Pasadena of paying 200-(m) million dollars for renovations he said are needed at the Rose Bowl.

But the initiative is opposed by West Pasadena residents, preservationists, and other city leaders, including Mayor Bill Bogaard.

Meanwhile, a committee of N-F-L owners heard stadium presentations last week from Los Angeles, Anaheim and Pasadena.

They could decide later this month whether to approve a Southern California franchise.

2006-04-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

staplesnba new articles for Sunday, April 16, 2006Kings Fans Bid Adieu to Luc Robitaille (AP via Yahoo! News)
Luc Robitaille couldn't believe his eyes when he walked into Staples Center for the final time as an NHL player. Everywhere he looked in the empty arena, there was evidence of what he has meant to the Los Angeles Kings and their fans.

Bryant leads Lakers to playoffs with win over Suns (The Sports Network)
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant poured in 43 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Lakers clinched a playoff spot by beating the Phoenix Suns, 109-89, at the Staples Center.

Lakers try to clinch playoff berth against Suns (The Sports Network)
(Sports Network) - A possible preview of a first-round matchup in the Western Conference playoffs takes place this afternoon, as the Los Angeles Lakers welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Staples Center.

Clippers continue to prepare for playoffs vs. Sonics (The Sports Network)
(Sports Network) - The playoff bound Los Angeles Clippers and the disappointing Seattle SuperSonics conclude a home-and-home set tonight at the Staples Center.

Lakers try to clinch postseason berth (MSNBC)
LOS ANGELES - After a record-setting performance, Kobe Bryant tries to help the Los Angeles Lakers clinch a postseason berth as they host the Phoenix Suns in a potential first-round playoff matchup at the Staples Center on Sunday.

Kings fans bid adieu as Robitaille plays final home game (ESPN)
Luc Robitaille couldn't believe his eyes when he walked into Staples Center for the final time as an NHL player. Everywhere he looked in the empty arena, there was evidence of what he has meant to the Kings.

AVENGERS TONIGHT (Los Angeles Times)
Site — Delta Center. Radio — 570. Records — Avengers 3-8, Blaze 3-8. Record vs. Blaze — 0-1. Update — The Avengers, who have played only once at Staples Center since Feb. 25, have lost three games in a row and are tied with Utah for last place in the Western Division.

Demitra's shootout goal lifts Los Angeles over Calgary (The Sports Network)
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Pavol Demitra scored the lone goal of the shootout and also tallied in regulation, as the Los Angeles Kings edged the Calgary Flames, 2-1, at the Staples Center.

Robitaille gets royal treatment in final home game (USA Today)
Luc Robitaille couldn't believe his eyes when he walked into Staples Center for the final time as an NHL player on Saturday. Everywhere he looked, there was evidence of what he has meant to the Los Angeles Kings and their fans.

NHL: Los Angeles 2, Calgary 1 (SO) (UPI)
LOS ANGELES, April 16 (UPI) -- The Kings marked Luc Robitaille's final game of his career with a 2-1 shootout win over the Flames at the Staples Center Saturday night.

2006-04-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

staplesnba new articles for Monday, April 10, 2006Star Sightings At Staples Center
Thanks to Leora who was at the Lakers game last night:. Cameron Diaz & Justin Timberlake on the floor sitting next to Jeffrey Katzenberg. Cameron wearing gold flats and she had 2 beers. 1 during the first 2 periods and then at half time ...

Staples Center
STAPLES CENTER - Kevin’s California Road Trip 04/03/06. Decided to walk to Staples Centre. It’s sad, but I’ve been sitting in a cab, hotel, or rink since I flew into California. Ran into a guy wearing a Maple Leaf sweater on my way to ...

lakers playoff tickets (and why i love this game)
... i started catching the games on tv whenever possible. i was sucked into the excitement the entire city was feeling. the first time i saw kobe bryant and shaquille o'neal play together live at staples center, i was hooked. ...

Las Vegas review in this journal
The Billy Joel concert in Vegas was every bit as good as the one at Staples Center. The set was basically the same excep that he played "Stiletto" in Vegas, and didn't go to the far two synthesizers. And I have to admit that it's very ...

DIARY OF A DOOFUS
"I went to a Billy Joel concert at the Staples Center on Wednesday. Billy Joel was rockin'. I went with my family and had a great time. I'ma huge fan. We were all waiting for "Piano Man." It was his last song. He saved the best for last ...

Catching up with the weekend - Friday
She called Staples and had them put two of them aside. ... over for a little over an hour, and then at 6:00 pm I met Inge at Staples and bought the fax machine! ... and his parents send him to a nearby center for reparative therapy. ...

APE TRES
I did a few, but quickly realised that there weren't enough staples and a new neighbor's goodwill can only be strained so much. So, with a few fixed to stem the tides, I ran out of the convention center (located in the middle of ...

Thank goodness for Billy Joel!
Unfortunately, it's been a long time since I've entered Staples Center without dreading the outcome of the night. Billy Joel allowed me to go to Staples Center and just have fun! I have to thank him for that. Although I've always loved ...

Suns melted Kobe's huge effort
At least the Lakers can take comfort with a schedule that has them playing their final five encounters at Staples Center. Then again, the Lakers also are only two matches ahead of the ninth-place Hornets.

Green: Staples Roof with Moon
Staples Roof with Moon Originally uploaded by ScottyJ. Staples Center, Los Angeles.

Evening at the Staples Center
Jeri and I went out with the Hutchins on Saturday night to the Staples Center to see the Kings play the Dallas Stars. It was a fun evening. All year, these two teams have played some of the best hockey I've seen in a long time. ...

Post game LA
The Staples Center media box is roughly three stories higher than the one back in General Motors Place. And unlike Vancouver, you don’t hang up over the ice; you sit just a few rows back from the fans. ...

May 1, 2006 : The Great American Boycott
My friend's ceremony was at a temple near Japantown, and we were staying at the Figueroa Hotel near the Staples Center. That drive is normally around fifteen minutes, but on this day it took nearly an hour. It wasn't the legendary LA ...

Where's Antonio?
He will join with community and business leaders in a news conference at the Staples Center calling on volunteers to participate in Big Sunday, the city's annual day of community service.

CLIPS MIGHT JUST HALF A CHANCE
A great second half of defense made up for a historically awful first half and allowed the Clips to make the third-biggest comeback in their history and hold on to defeat the Denver Nuggets, 111-109, last night at Staples Center. ...

The next few days...
Go to Staples Center for Billy Joel concert Thursday Think about waking up at some decent time of the day Get comics (Infinite Crisis 6, The OMAC Project: Infinite Crisis Special) Work, possibly only a half day ...

Almost there
Speaking of sports, we're going to the Staples Center tonight to see the Kings get their butts kicked by the Canucks. We invited a few people to go with us when we got the tickets 3 weeks ago. Little did we know that UCLA would be ...

Way to choke Denver
I had to leave the office early which is why my post yesterday ended abruptly to head to Staples Center again this time for the Clippers-Nuggets game. The Nuggets started out on fire, especially Marcus Camby who did not miss from the ...

New nanny/Luxury box seats at Staples Center/Oscar night
This was Astrid's first basketball game and first time at Staples Center. ... Both Uwe and I have been to Staples Center many times (for hockey games, basketball games, and/or concerts), but this was the first time we had luxury box ...

San Antonio wint weer in Staples Center
San Antonio heeft trouwens wat met het Staples Center. Het is de vijfde keer op rij dat de Spurs in Los Angeles zegevierden. Ze konden weer rekenen op Tony Parker. De Fransman miste eerder deze week het duel tegen de Clippers wegens een ...

2006-04-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

staplesnba new articles for Sunday, April 02, 2006Lakers, Spurs Meet At Staples Center (ABC News 4)
(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to continue their push towards the playoffs, as they host the San Antonio Spurs tonight at the Staples Center.

Bryant drops 43 on Rockets in blowout (Houston Chronicle)
Kobe Bryant scored 22 of his 43 points in the third quarter to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Rockets 104-88 today at the Staples Center.

Kobe goes over 40 again in Lakers' win over Rockets (The Sports Network)
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant posted 43 points and six assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 104-88 win over the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center.

Rockets visit Kobe and Co. in LA (The Sports Network)
(Sports Network) - The Houston Rockets have won two in a row and will begin a six-game road trip this afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Kings win, move within three points of playoff berth (The Sports Network)
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Mathieu Garon stopped 27 shots for his third shutout of the season as Los Angeles defeated Dallas, 1-0, at the Staples Center.

Target chooses Bryant: Shopping center heads to Saline County with a host of satellite stores (Benton Courier)
Major retailer Target Corp. is coming to Saline County and will anchor a large shopping center development off Interstate 30 east in the Bryant city limits.

Spurs welcome Wizards to AT&T Center (The Sports Network)
(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs return home after going 3-2 on a five-game road trip, as they welcome the Washington Wizards to the AT&T Center.

Stars and Kings meet in LA (The Sports Network)
(Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars, fresh off clinching a playoff berth, will visit the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the Staples Center. The Stars earned a point in Friday's shootout loss to Anaheim, but it was enough to seal up a spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

KINGS TONIGHT (Los Angeles Times)
Site — Staples Center. Radio — 1110. Records — Kings 38-31-5, Stars 49-20-4. Record vs. Stars — 5-2.

Stars and Kings meet in LA (News Channel 9 Syracuse)
The Dallas Stars, fresh off clinching a playoff berth, will visit the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the Staples Center.

Staples Center

2006-02-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

Staples Center is a multipurpose sports arena in downtown Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District. It is located near the intersection of Interstate highways I-10 and I-110. It is named for the Staples office-supply company, one of the center's corporate sponsors that paid for naming rights. The Anschutz Entertainment Group operates the facility.