Lakers WIN!!

Last year, downtown LA was caught off-guard by the riots that followed the Lakers win of the championship game. Looting, vandalism, and all-out chaos ensued - even though it was an AWAY game.

This year, with the championship game at the Staples Center (just 2 block from my place), the LAPD was prepared and out in FULL FORCE. They quickly locked down all streets as soon as the game ended and immediately began herding people... away. It was strange and confusing as people didn't know where to go and officers were often forcing people to move away from their cars and parking lots. This didn't seem to bother the hundreds of riot police, cavalry, sheriffs, motorcycle cops, and undercover cops who just kept sending everyone further and further away from Staples.

Apparently their method worked, I suppose. 2 hours after the game ended, the streets were mostly cleared and quiet. No doubt the damage was considerably less than last year.