Celebrity and Sports Collide in L.A.

Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend share a moment at the Lakers-Clippers opener at Staples.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Heather Locklear watches intently during the Lakers-Clippers season opener at Staples. Talk about the Lakers with other fans at our Lakers blog.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Stephen Dorff drinks it all in. Talk about the Lakers with other fans at our Lakers blog  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

Entertainer Sean Puffy Combs, right, takes in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Levine of the pop group, Maroon Five, takes in in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Sasha Baron Cohen is courtside for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Singer Josh Groban watches the action in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rapper Jay Z attends Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Heidi Klum checks out the conversation her husband, Seal, is having courtside at the Lakers-Pacers game.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Kevin James is all smiles courtside at the Lakers-Pacers game.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jack Black and Jason Segel enjoy a laugh during the Lakers-Hornets game.   (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Maria Sharapova and boyfriend Charlie Ebersol catch the Lakers-Hornets game at Staples Center.   (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Jack Black snaps some photos during the Lakers-Jazz game.   (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Robert Downey Jr. had a courtside seat for the Warriors-Lakers game.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Prince checks out the video screen over the Staples Center court during the Lakers-Celtics game on Christmas Day.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Snoop Dogg and his wife, Shante Taylor, were on hand Christmas Day to watch the Lakers-Celtics game at Staples Center.  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

George Lopez and Michael Clarke Duncan have a conversation during a break in the Celtics-Lakers action Thursday at Staples Center.   (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

George Lopez shows off his new shoes before the Lakers played the Celtics on Christmas Day at Staples Center.   (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

Dane Cook shows his allegiance Thursday during the Lakers-Celtics game at Staples Center.  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

Christian Barry of Palmdale brought a sign to Staples Center on Tuesday night that details the losing history of the Portland Trail Blazers against the Lakers.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kristen and Alan Martinez of San Bernardino were decked out in their Lakers gear for the season opener Tuesday night at Staples Center. They even brought along their Rick Fox bobblehead doll.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky watches as members of the Oaks Christian High School football team take part in a passing tournament at the Westlake Village campus. Gretzky’s son Trevor, 15, is a quarterback on the junior varsity team. Also on the squad: Nick Montana, the son of NFL great Joe Montana, and Trey Smith, the son of box-office champ Will Smith. Montana is competing for the varsity quarterback spot.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Levine, lead singer of Maroon 5, catches the Lakers’ season-opening game against the Portland Trail Blazers from a courtside seat on Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Toby Maguire, right, checks out the scoreboard during a break in the Lakers-Blazers season-opening game Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Jay L. Clendenin /Los Angeles Times)

Actor Denzel Washington, left, greets soccer star David Beckham during a break in fourth-quarter action of the Lakers season opener on Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Jon Cryer and TV show host Lisa Joyner take in the sights from their front-row seats Tuesday night during the season opener at Staples Center as the Laker Girls take the court during a break in the action.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Actors Kevin Connolly, left, and Leonardo DiCaprio watch the Lakers’ season-opening game from courtside seats Tuesday night.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Jack Nicholson and the rest of the fans at Staples Center had plenty to cheer about Tuesday night during the Lakers’ 96-76, season-opening victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

David Beckham and Barry Bonds say their greetings before taking courtside seats for the Lakers-Kings game at Staples Center.   (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Barry Bonds hangs out courtside with his daughter, Aisha Lynn, before the Lakers-Kings game at Staples Center.   (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

David Beckham comes up with a loose ball at his courtside seat during the Lakers-Kings game at Staples Center.   (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Former USC running back Anthony Davis signs autographs at $10 a pop in the middle of tailgaters on campus.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Actor David Spade and musicians Anthony Kiedis and Sean “Diddy” Combs sit courtside during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center.   (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Actor Mark Wahlberg hangs out courtside during a break in the action of Game 5 of the NBA Finals.   (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

The Lakers give actor Tobey Maguire something to cheer about during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center.   (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Soccer star David Beckham has become a regular at Lakers games, attending Game 5 of the NBA Finals with one of his sons.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Musician Lionel Ritchie shares a laugh courtside during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Actors Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg enjoy Game 5 of the NBA Finals from their courtside seats.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Dyan Cannon watches the Lakers’ trophy presentation after they defeated San Antonio in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.  (Paul Buck / EPA)

Antonio Banderas, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Cameron Diaz share a laugh during a break in the Game 5 action between the Lakers and Spurs.  (Paul Buck / EPA)

Denzel Washington and Antonio Banderas greet one another courtside during Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.  (Paul Buck / EPA)

David Beckham and his wife Victoria take in the game Friday night from their courtside seats.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Sylvester Stallone gives a wave to a friend before the start of Game 2 on Friday night at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Flea plays the national anthem during pregame ceremonies Friday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Laker Girls pose for a picture before Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Broadcaster and former Lakers forward James Worthy tosses a ball back onto the court before Game 2 Friday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Ron Silver and Penny Marshall chat before Game 1 of the Western Conference final on Wednesday night at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

TNT announcer Charles Barkley gives some analysis before Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jack Black and Jeffrey Katzenberg take in the Game 2 of the Lakers-Jazz series.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis, a Staples Center regular, takes in Game 1 of the Lakers’ playoff series against Utah.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Denzel Washington enjoys his courtside view for the Lakers-Jazz series opener at Staples Center.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Sparks stars Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie take in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Pamela Anderson and her son, Brandon Lee, throw out the first pitch at the Dodgers-Astros game.  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Pamela Anderson enjoys the moment after throwing out the first pitch at a Dodgers-Astros game.  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Tom Cruise, holding daughter Suri, and Katie Holmes watch David Beckham and the Galaxy play the New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center. Beckham’s son, Brooklyn, is seated below them.  (Toby Canham / Getty Images)

David Beckham enjoys his courtside seats with sons Brooklyn and Romeo during Game 1 of the Lakers-Nuggets playoff series.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Lori Petty and Penny Marshall take in the Lakers’ playoff opener against Denver.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Antonio Banderas celebrates a Lakers basket during Game 1 of their playoff series against Denver.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

James Belushi has something to say to Tobey Maguire during a Lakers-Nuggets playoff game.  (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)

Leonardo DiCaprio takes a glance at the scoreboard during a break in the action between the Lakers and Phoenix Suns.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Lindsay Lohan makes an appearance courtside during the first half of the Lakers-Magic game on Dec. 2.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Serena Williams takes a break from watching the Lakers-Magic game on Dec. 2 to text someone.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

New Angels center fielder Torii Hunter takes in the Lakers-SuperSonics game on Nov. 27.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Ashton Kucher and Demi Moore are courtside for the Lakers’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 16.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

The trademark Nicholson sunglasses are always present, but things like reading the roster require a second look.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Angus T. Jones and Charlie Sheen, stars of the “Two and a Half Men” television series, talk during a timeout at the Lakers-Rockets season opener.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Pete Sampras checks out the Lakers’ season opener against the Houston Rockets.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Comedian George Lopez didn’t let translating for Vladimir Guerrero stop him from throwing out the first pitch before the Angel-Red Sox game Saturday.  (Lori Shepler / LAT)

Tom Hanks, top row right, and his son Colin Hanks, top row left, watch as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Mets.  (Kevork Djansezian / AP)

Thomas Lennon, who plays Lieutenant James Dangle on the TV show ‘Reno 911’ reacts after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.  (Jerry Lai / AP)

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart look at photos on a digital camera as they watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Los Angeles Dodgers.  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Danny De Vito watches the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium  (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

Hilary Swank makes a face as she enjoys pizza and beer at the baseball game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

Actress Alyssa Milano watches the baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt arrives with her boyfriend Ross McCall for the World Series of Football exhibition soccer game at the Home Depot Center.  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

British actors John Hurt, center, and Ray Winstone, right, keep an eye on the field before the start of a World Series of Football exhibition soccer game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chelsea at the Home Depot Center.  (Kevork Djansezian / AP)

Brooklyn Beckham, son of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s newest player David Beckham, plays with Suri Cruise as they watch a World Series of Football exhibition soccer game at the Home Depot Center. At left is Mary Lee Mapother South, mother of actor Tom Cruise.  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Director Penny Marshall sizes up the Lakers before a 2007 playoff game.  (Vince Bucci / Getty Images)

Actress Eva Longoria arrives for the World Series of Football exhibition soccer game at the Home Depot Center.  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)