The streets of downtown Los Angeles became a sea of purple and gold last Wednesday as thousands of Laker fans joined the team in celebrating its 15th NBA Championship.

Over 95,000 people filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to give the Lakers a much-deserved welcome to their beloved city. The team was showered with purple and gold confetti as Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” played in the background.

Double-decker buses carried the 2009 NBA champions through a 2 ˝ mile parade, where they received the cheers of tens and thousands of fans.

“Thank you for all the support baby,” exclaimed Derek Fisher during the ceremonies. “We love you. Let’s go, Lakers.”

Fisher was nicknamed “The Fish that saved LA” by online publications because of his late game heroics in game four of the NBA finals. The 34-year-old veteran was a crucial piece in the LA Lakers championship puzzle.

Wing man Lamar Odom tweeted, “Wow! This is crazy!” while hard court heartthrob Sasha Vujacic took photographs.

“We are humbled by your devotion and appreciation to us,” said Phil Jackson, who won his 10th career NBA championship to surpass Red Auerbach in the record books. 

The former Chicago Bull coach thanked Jeanie Buss, his girlfriend, for convincing him to return to LA as head coach. Jackson left the franchise after the 2004 after a lackluster season.

According to sports writers, this was one of the (if not the most) loud Laker parades to take place.
The Lakers had failed to win the title in its last two finals appearances. And that makes this one a whole lot sweeter.

“This is more special because we went through so many dark years,” explained Bryant, who picked up his fourth championship and first finals MVP during the team’s 2009 playoff run.

Bryant led the crowd into chanting “ring” and the LA fans gladly responded to their franchise player. 

Next season, the L.A. Lakers will be favored to be the back-to-back champions, given that their roster stays in tact. The team still has to sign Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom.