Lakers at 76ers, Wachovia Center

Kobe to AI: "Before you shoot your free throws, you might want to check your fly."

Darren took me to the Lakers-76ers game at the Wachovia Center for my birthday. He was fascinated by the gladiatorial match up between Kobe and Iverson. We almost got arrested for trying to buy tickets off some shady scalper, so Darren decided to pay full price at the box office: $115 per ticket. Seats were 17 rows up, at half court. It was a great game, but far from a sports classic. AI dropped 30+ on the Lakers so fast you didn't even notice. Kobe dropped 30+ turnovers on his own team. I could feel myself cursing under my breath with each careless mistake. The poor guy couldn't make a gimme layup. To add more insult, the crowd hissed every time he came in and out of the game, and treated him like a fallen hero, even though there are dozens of NBA players who would make Kobe look like a saint. Sadly, he is considered a modern sports villain in the public's eye.

It's really amazing how different venues use different strategies to encourage crowd participation and keep them interested. The 76ers employ stupid movie clips, an overweight all-male dance troupe used to stimulate laughs from audience pity, an ice cream eating contest between six years olds, and various other tactics that just don't have too much class. Staples Center would never stoop so low.

Oh yeah, Bud Light cans go for $6.50 at Wachovia Center, the same price as a really good bottle of imported Belgian beer at Monks.