Ignorance is bliss

We have crowned a new NBA champion as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 to claim their 15th title in franchise history. Who else but Kobe Bryant lead the way averaging 32.4 points and 7.4 assists while garnering Finals MVP honors for the first time in his career. However, if you turn on the television or radio here in Los Angeles this morning, all you are hearing about is how ridiculous the fans are with their over the top celebrating, looting, and rioting. ABC and ESPN made such a big deal about this being the Lakers 15th championship in franchise history, but judging by the reaction of the fans, you’d think this was the first championship of any sort for Tinseltown. The saddest aspect about the whole affair is the biased news coverage, in an attempt to defend the postgame celebrations. ABC 7 and their repeated claims that these actions and events aren’t indicative of true Lakers fans, or that the people committing these acts are just the “dregs of society” according to Colin Cowherd. Right, so all those people that we see wearing Kobe jerseys, waving Lakers flags, jumping on cars, setting trees on fire, and looting stores right across from Stapes Center aren’t Lakers fans. Are these the same “fans” who want Manny Ramirez to start in the All-Star game in July? After all, this is a city where Raja Bell received death threats by simply walking down the street in L.A. after his choke slam of Kobe in the ’06 playoffs. Citizens were scared to get in their vehicles and even make an attempt to leave downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night for fear of what may happen to themselves or their vehicle. This city may have been better off had Orlando actually won, but don’t take my word for it. The local news media would rather play you for an ignorant fool. AP photo by Jae C. Hong