With the NBA season beginning this past Tuesday night, I was fortunate enough to attend the opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.  Since I am the sneaker expert for Lakers Nation, I thought I would share my wonderful experience with the rest of you.  Let's just say, a night like this doesn't come along too often, as the Los Angeles Lakers received their 2008-09 Championship Rings and raised their fifteenth championship banner into the Staples Center rafters.  It was also the first regular season game for Ron Artest as a member of the defending champs.

The air was buzzing with so much excitement, the game itself almost seemed secondary for me.  Being the sneaker fanatic I am, I of course began to study the feet of the players.  Kobe Bryant wore a special purple and yellow gradient colorway "4 Rings" of his signature shoe, the Zoom Kobe IV.  Shannon Brown, DJ Mbenga, Josh Powell, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, and Lamar Odom also wore the Zoom Kobe IV's, perhaps as a tribute to their Finals MVP teammate.  Center Andrew Bynum laced up his new shoes from Protege, while guard Derek Fisher was wearing a pair of Nike Hyperize.  The newest Lakers, Artest, wore his Laker home China Peaks, while Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison were sporting Adidas.

After all the sneaker gazing was finished, the ring ceremony began.  Needless to say I had chills during most of the ceremony, as each player was called to receive their hard-earned championship ring.  The only thing I wish was different was that the late, great Chick Hearn could have been there to emcee.  While the sneakers and the rings were incredible, my favorite part of the evening was when past Lakers legends were introduced to the crowd, each legend representing one of the nine NBA titles that have been won by the Lakers while in Los Angeles.  The list of legends included Jerry West, Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Michael Cooper, AC Green, Rick Fox, and Robert Horry.  It was downright amazing to see all of these legendary players standing together on one floor, congratulating the newest members of the Lakers championship fraternity.

Overall the night was one that will not soon be forgotten.  I was also given the opportunity to meet up with other members of Lakers Nation and several other friends.  From the raising of the banner to the game itself, it was certainly a championship quality experience.

www.ShoeAffliction.com

DS NIKE ZOOM KOBE V ALL STAR GAME LAKERS SIZE 85 SAoFL    US $180.00

DS NIKE ZOOM KOBE V DARK KNIGHT LAKERS SIZE 8 SAoFL    US $190.00

DS NIKE ZOOM KOBE V LOWER MERION ACES SIZE 105 SAoFL    US $200.00