Local Fans Cheer Lakers Victory

Manhattan Beach resident Hassan Bakrim doesn't condone the unruly behavior of fans following Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Championship victories. But he says he understands its origins.

"You want to know why people riot?" he asked during Game 7 of the NBA finals Thursday evening." Because [the Lakers] give you a heart attack. It's the rush."

Nerves were indeed on end. The Lakers started slow but finished strong, sealing their 16^th overall title and second straight championship victory 83-79 against the Boston Celtics.

Locals piled shoulder-to-shoulder into downtown Manhattan Beach bars, many decked in purple-and-gold gear. Celtics fans flew below the radar, inconspicuous among the crowd and shyly admitting to their support for the rival team.

Fresh off their 89-67 sweep in Game 6, the Lakers held back in the first half, trailing the Celtics by measly points. With the Lakers down at the end of the first quarter, loyal Lakers fans at Hennessey's Tavern were still hopeful.

"It's very early," said Bruce Balzano, Manhattan Beach resident. "They can turn it around quick."

Between commercials of the throaty E-Trade baby and ice cold beer, Lakers fans spoke of passion bred since the era of Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper.

A supporter of the Lakers since before he moved to the United States from Europe, Bakrim wore a knitted charcoal gray hat and a black shirt, no Lakers jersey but all high spirits. Bakrim said he was disappointed by the Lakers' poor performance in, of all places, their hometown.

"It's like having a guest telling you what to do," said Bakrim. "That's bull, it's my home."

Other fans weren't ready to give up easily at halftime. "I definitely think they're going strong," said Lisa Marie, Manhattan Beach resident and self-described old school fan. "They're only down by six."

At the beginning of the second half, the Lakers were still playing as if in a daze, missing free throws and rebounds. The crowd moaned at every failed shot, sparking a range of emotions.

"I'm angry."

"I'm gonna go cry."

"We're getting kiiilled."

"If they win, I'll be the happiest man," said Bakrim, who looked grim but hopeful.

The energy in the bar dulled for a moment as Kobe Bryant, a no-show for most of the game, was knocked to the ground in an offensive foul. Hands were cupped to mouths in suspense. Minutes later, Bryant scored, bringing the game to a one-point gap.

Lakers gameplay picked up momentum and cheers erupted when, for the first time, the Lakers pulled ahead by four points, 68 to 64.

Then, in the final 10 seconds, the Lakers secured their comeback. Whistling, bells clanging and furious clapping all around as Lamar Odom hurled the ball down the court in a celebratory final shot.

Fans walked out in glowing triumph. "Dude… that was a really great series," one said.

"I knew they would pull through," said Marie with a big smile. "They played hard the whole half and came through."

So would Bakrim consider himself a happy man?

"Yes, oh yes," he said.

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