PHOTO ESSAY: Lakers vs. Heat, a Fan’s Perspective

Along with all of the hoopla that LeBron James and ABC/ESPN brought to Staples Center on Sunday, the return of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade a week after busting Kobe Bryant’s nose in the All-Star Game added a buzz unlike any regular-season game I’ve witnessed.

And the Los Angeles Lakers responded to the hype with their best team performance of the year, roughing up Wade and the Miami Heat 93-83 to improve to 17-2 at Staples Center.

But you already know how the game went down. Here’s what it looked and felt like from one fan’s perspective (albeit from the nosebleeds) …

The day started with a stroll down Chick Hearn Court, where the sun from above was beaming down on us like Big Chick himself was lighting our path to “church” on this fine Sunday afternoon. Amen, Chick. Amen.

Not even the Goodyear Blimp could block out your light, Chick.

Of the 18,997 fans packed into Staples for this one, most were Laker fans. But there were plenty of LeBron fans in attendance, and, contrary to popular belief, they intermingled just fine with the Los Angeles fans on hand.

The vantage point from press row, and a look at the famed 16 NBA championships and seven retired jerseys. Where’s Kurt Rambis?

Only in Hollywood would you have a hundred-foot tall curtain showing Lakers highlights during player introductions. If the pregame ceremony was this extravagant, wait until tipoff.

This was a more physical Laker team than we’re used to seeing. Andrew Bynum was playing his size. World Peace played like Ron Artest again. And Pau Gasol even showed some emotion, getting in the face of Dwyane Wade at the end of the third quarter as you can see above.

“The mustard’s off this hotdog.” Thanks to BallHyped designer and Los Lakers diehard RK for the extra ticket to game.

RK and the Lakers had plenty to celebrate after this one, beating the favorites to win the NBA title by 10 and renewing hope they have what it takes to make another run in Tinseltown.

Jerry West, the logo, stands strong through all of the chaos outside of Staples after the win.

Magic Johnson, still leading the way 20 years after walking away from the game.

And Chick Hearn breaking it all down postgame. How he would’ve enjoyed calling this one.

“This one is in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the light’s out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jello’s jiggling.”