Straight cash, homey at the Staples Center

April 23rd, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

Look: we all know the ballpark, the arena and the stadium are expensive locales nowadays. So are the movie theaters, ($10.50 to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Sunday, wtf?) the grocery store, the bar … everywhere is expensive. But, it’s healthy to see fans at the Staples Center aren’t bitching about inflation and the economy. Instead, they’re realizing that the fun and excitement supersedes any monetary hits they’ll accrue. How refreshing.

She took a breather before going to her seats, time enough to tally the damage. Tickets, gas, parking, hot dogs, sodas, T-shirts and Lakers Crocs for the kids — she estimated that all together the day would cost near $1,000, a hefty chunk for a legal clerk and her waitress pal.

“It’s the playoffs,” she said. “Kobe and Iverson.”

But $1,000?, she was asked. That’s a lot for one game.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” she said, her smile tightening. “It’s just so much fun, and worth the memories . . . even in times like these, you can’t put a price on that.”

[ .. ]

“Lemme tell you,” said Anthony Flores, a carwash owner from Porterville, “this year I just couldn’t wait for the playoffs to come. . . . The playoffs are recession-proof.”

He stood in the gift shop and eyed a Kobe jersey. He said he’d driven with his family, down from the San Joaquin Valley, three hours in his Chevrolet Blazer. Expected total cost for the day? $900.

I hope this serves as an important lesson to all you out there: spending money on sports is of utmost importance. I mean, what we you rather be spending it on: your kid’s education? Investments? Taxes? Mortgage? Bills?

Seriously: can your taxes dunk a basketball like Kobe Bryant? I think not.