Lakers beat Houston Rockets with help from Los Angeles celebrities
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The Lakers sucker punched Houston during a 118-78 win on Tuesday. Don’t worry, it was just proverbial this time. How could a visitor play basketball with so many distractions?
There was Kevin Bacon, taking one for the team as he locked lips with his wife Golden Globe-winning actress Kyra Sedgwick. Golf pro Phil Mickelson did the same with his hottie wife Amy McBride. These fine men were willing to do anything to help the Lakers win.
Rap legend Dr. Dre helped his own street cred before the game by greeting Ron ‘My Friend Was Stabbed to Death With a Table Leg’ Artest (no joke). Then he lost it all by doing the wave. Yup -- with a commanding lead, Lakers fans got out of their chairs in the middle of the game and actually sat back down. Normally they would flee for the exits (not to be confused with Flea, who performed the national anthem). The Queen of the Lakers -- Jeannie Buss -- tweeted that it went around about a dozen times and gave her goosebumps. And don’t forget about Dre ... ESPN’s Beto Duran reported that after four or five cycles, the hip-hop icon put his hands in the air (probably waved ‘em like he just don’t care). A few more times around, and he was standing with the crowd.
See? Stars are just like us. But with better seats.
Speaking of good seats, Leonardo DiCaprio was in such a prime spot that Rockets guard John Barry jumped over him during a play. Talk about star struck -- or was that a struck star? Leo might have taken a knee to the face (check out the action shot below). Either way, Barry was so floored that DiCaprio had to help him back up. No word if the actor will whine to the league and demand an apology.
Other famous faces included Denzel Washington, Chris Rock, Tim Allen, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Maria Shriver, Jeremy Piven, Neil Diamond, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jack Nicholson (obviously), and Lou Adler (obviously, pt. 2). A few members of this group are so famous that they’ve actually done work since the ‘90s.
They all blended seamlessly with the rich folk, namely Richie Sambora and Guy Ritchie.
USC football Coach Pete Carroll was on hand (he’s buddies with Phil Jackson). As one Trojan fan bemoaned out on an Internet message board, ‘Lets face it, this is the only time we will see Pete Carroll in an actual playoff game.’
There were even famous people you probably haven’t heard of, such as Katharine McPhee, Vanessa Bosell, Guy Oseary. We’ll check with Dish Rag and get back to you. (OK, no we won’t.)
-- Adam Rose
Top photo: Kevin Bacon sneaks a kiss from wife Kyra Sedwick. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Second photo: Mr. Artest, meet Dr. Dre. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Third photo: Brent Barry interrupts Leonardo DiCaprio’s game watching experience. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Fourth photo: Players were literally tripping over celebrities. Case in point, Leonardo DiCarprio ducks as Brent Barry’ leaps into the crowd. Credit: Gus Ruelas / EPA