Lakers' fans parade in L.A.
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Tens of thousands of people paraded in downtown Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate Lakers' victory over Boston Celtics.
Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and his teammates joined the parade,riding on a customized flat-bed float, equipped with audio capabilities.
A convoy of double-decker, open-air buses and other vehicles were carrying Laker coaches and staff, members of the Buss family, which owns the team, team officials and the Laker Girls dance team.
"When you're playing you don't really get a chance to see those who are at home or at a local bar watching the game, supporting and screaming and cheering, and now you get a chance to kind of put a face to it," Kobe told CBS2 before the parade began.
The parade began at Staples Center and went down Figueroa Street to the University of Southern California.
The Lakers overcame a 13-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics, 83-79, Thursday night in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center to win their second consecutive NBA's championship.
City and Laker officials had anticipated a crowd of more than 500,000 fans, lining the two-mile (3.2-kilometer) parade route, according to John Black, the team's vice president of public relations. Police put the number at about 400,000.
The Lakers agreed to shoulder the estimated two-million-dollar cost of the event, including costs for police and street services.
The parade went peacefully at its star, amid a heavy police presence.
"We're prepared for everything, but I'm hoping, and I'm anticipating a nice family event where people get a chance to recognize the Lakers, they get to see the Lakers and they get to be part of the experience," Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said. "Of course, we're ready for whatever happens, but that's what I'm anticipating."
But Beck noted that "there's a few people that come to these events to spoil them, so we have to be ready to deal with that."
