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Thousands of LA Fans Celebrate Lakers' Championship Victory

   Mike O'Sullivan | Los Angeles 21 June 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Los Angeles Lakers fans cheer at the Lakers NBA Championship parade on
   Monday, June 21, 2010, in Los Angeles.

   Tens  of thousands of fans cheered the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday as
   the National Basketball Association champions rode in a victory parade
   in Los Angeles.  The Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 on Thursday
   night  in  game  seven  of the NBA finals. Fans are hoping the Lakers,
   with  two national championships in a row, can win a third consecutive
   time next year.
   The  Lakers  rode  the three-kilometer route atop a flat-bed truck and
   double-decker buses.
   Kobe  Bryant,  named  the series' most valuable player and who has won
   five  national titles, said this one was the hardest.  He savored the
   moment  with  his  two young daughters. "My kids are old enough now to
   understand  competition  and the challenges of it.  And it feels good
   to show them that hard work pays off," he said.
   Lakers  guard  Sasha  Vujacic said the championship came about through
   teamwork. "We did it together.  We did it as a team and that's why it
   feels so special," he said.
   Forward  Pau  Gasol  says the team is eyeing another championship next
   year.  "It's  hard to win one, let alone win two back-to-back.   But
   next year, we're going to have to do it all over again, hopefully," he
   said.
   This was the 16th NBA title for the Lakers.

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