Las Vegas Weekly

October 13, 2008 · 5:30 PM

Lakers and Kings continue annual rivalry on, off the court

By Robin Leach

It was a sign of difficult economic times that a disappointing crowd of only 11,000 fans turned out for the first pre-season game of the Los Angeles Lakers when they played against the young, new Sacramento Kings team coached by former UNLV star Reggie Theus. Even the $10 tickets were nowhere near sold out! The Lakers, led by stars Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, won 94-89. Sitting courtside were Palms owner George Maloof and his brothers, Gavin and Phil. The Maloof family owns the Kings, which this year features newcomers Francisco Garcia, Spencer Hawes, Quincy Douby and Donte Greene.

It didn’t seem to affect their playing skills at all that Kobe, Derek Fisher, Brian Shaw, Jordan Farmar, Chris Mihn, Luke Walton, and Sun Yue were among the Los Angeles Lakers partying way into the night at Jet Nightclub in the Mirage at Lamar’s pre-party before the game! The power forward showed his teammates how to party hearty, buying the first magnum of expensive Perrier Jouet Rose champagne -- so Kobe quickly reciprocated by buying multiple bottles of the swank Ace of Spades bubbly.

Photo: Light Group

Members of the L.A. Lakers party on the Strip.

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

Photo: TVT

Lakers vs. Kings

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