MVP! MVP! MVP!

That was the backdrop to last night's Lakers playoff game. From the free t-shirts, to the signs, to the chants of every fan in the packed arena, to the trophy being presented to Kobe Bryant before the game, a whooping 12 years after joining the league. MVP! It was loud and boisterous and crazy and so much fun! A wednesday night in Los Angeles people, and the lines to enter Staples Center were down the street when the doors opened. The energy was palpable even an hour before tip-off. You were hard-pressed to find someone not decked out in purple and gold. Hell, even some of the "suits" streaming in from offices just up the street put on the free t-shirts to get into the spirit of the night. Just before the trophy presentation? You could count on one hand the number of empty seats. In Los Angeles, on a wednesday night, folks. Unreal. Although, I guess it's fitting seeing as how that word also perfectly describes this entire Lakers season.

A card set-up for fans to sign for Kobe The official t-shirt for the evening Another MVP t-shirt we grabbed for free on the way into the stadium Showing off our Lakers pride! Sign says it all So many cameras to capture the trophy presentation on film Getting ready to present the award to Kobe The crowd loves it!

And on the energy from the MVP trophy presentation and Bryant's command to "...get this party started!", the Lakers came out swingin', jumping to an early lead and never really letting the Jazz get back into things. The team looks good. They look pumped. They look like they're out for blood. They look like they could be champions come June. 6 down, 10 to go!