Getting Autographs at Staples Center

[ongobongo]

Hi, I'm gonna go down to a Lakers game around November. So I was wondering which gate do I have to wait to get the Lakers autograph? I know they'll drive in and park under a tunnel or something. So which gate do I go to get both the Lakers and the visiting teams autograph? And what time is the best to get their autographs?

[LakersLaLaLand]

Only guaranteed way to get an autograph is with a Meet and Greet VIP pass. Otherwise you need lower bowl seating tickets. And hope a player gives an autograph during pre-pregame shooting.

Waiting at a gate doesn't work at Staples. Enjoy the game.

If you don't want to pay $20 for parking you can park 2-5 blocks east of Staples. Along 12th street from Flower to Olive street. Or a bit further if you like. I always park around this area.

[ongobongo]

Only guaranteed way to get an autograph is with a Meet and Greet VIP pass. Otherwise you need lower bowl seating tickets. And hope a player gives an autograph during pre-pregame shooting.

Waiting at a gate doesn't work at Staples. Enjoy the game.

If you don't want to pay $20 for parking you can park 2-5 blocks east of Staples. Along 12th street from Flower to Olive street. Or a bit further if you like. I always park around this area.

How come waiting at a gate doesn't work at Staples?

[gts]

How come waiting at a gate doesn't work at Staples?parking gate? because they enter through a security entrance

inside the players come out of a tunnel to the court that's protected..

on the court there's security checking for tickets and it's hard to get into the lower section unless you have a ticket for the lower areas

besides the players staples has so many high profile visitors that getting close to anyone is a bit of a chore...

[DKLaker]

***** Warning...DKLaker is going into another long "Old Guy" rant...lol ****

This is one of the things I really hate about sports today, there is such a personal disconnect between players and fans....most pro athletes have no respect for even their most diehard fans......In the old days players would say the they truly loved their fans and "The fans pay our salaries".
(The Lakers are far more fan friendly than any other franchise today)
In the old days at the Forum, the Lakers were extremely accessible....my friends and I would go to the back ramp on the south side and wait for autographs, not only would everyone sign for all fans but they would look you in the eye and have a conversation with you....even remember your name next time they saw you....with the exception of KAJ who is a MAJOR "@#&%". Magic was and still is nicer than you could imagine.....they were all like good friends.
The visiting teams were cool too, they would sign and it's funny that most of them stayed at the hotel that used to be next to the racetrack accross the street out the south exit......things were so relaxed then that players would walk fron the ramp, through the parking lot to the hotel without any security at all. Hell, at baseball games they would just walk out with the crowd to the bus just like nothing....even the biggest superstars.
I think that kind of direct contact with humble players makes you root for them even more and builds a loyal fan base more than anything.
At a recent Dodgers game I was in the VIP waiting area under the stadium waiting for a couple friends and there were a group of about 25 kids and parents behind a rope. Dodgers players walked out and refused to even look at the fans despite their cheering and begging....not even a wave.
From the entire team only Matt Kemp stopped, signed every autograph, took photos with anyone who wanted one and talked and laughed with them.
He turned a very dispirited group of kids into a gleeful happy crowd....all by giving up less than 10 minutes of his time.....I guarantee you those kids will be his fans for life.
Despite what some say, Kobe is a great guy.....Lebron is a complete jerk.....i'll leave it at that before someone tells me I went over my word limit :oldlol:

[SoCalMike]

^ wow, i agree with that.... times have changed and not always for the better!



:pimp:

[ashlar]

I've had a few run-ins with some celebrities/athletes. First time was seeing Latrell Sprewell at Magic Mountain with his family. My friends were too scared to approach him for an autograph but I didn't let the choking of PJ Carlesimo phase me. He turned out to be a pretty decent guy he signed a ball that I won at one of those carnival games and said some nice things. I was like 14 or 15 at the time. The next two aren't even sports related but my girlfriend and I were having sushi in Newport Beach and met Lucy Liu. We ended up taking a picture with her she was really friendly. Another time was when I heard 24 was filming near my area so I decided to go out and check it since its my favorite thing on TV other than the lakers. I got to take a picture with Kiefer Sutherland when he was on his break. Another was a few years ago up at Berkeley celebrating my friend's graduation at a club. It was ALL girls and me and one of them recognized Jerry rice. They took a group photo with him(I took the picture). Sad because most of them didn't even know who he was. I met and got to shake hands with Kobe a year ago. He was at UCI promoting the ARC(its the gym there). I caught him on his way out to his car which is a white SUV. I told him to take care of his finger and he flashed a peace sign at me. I guess I've been pretty fortunate not to run into any asshole celebs/athletes. BTW I would straight up ignore Lebron if I ever saw him because if I looked at him he'd probably like the attention or think a peon like me is not worthy of his attention.

[LA.MJ&KB#1]

Hey these sport guys are a trip. I remember back in 2001 when working at the PRO BOWL game over in Hawaii as a security office while serving in the military. Now, one would think a security guard would be able to attain one autograph..

Just didn't happen so good luck trying to get an Autographs.

[LakersLaLaLand]

Living in Los Angeles I have come across more than my fair share of celebrities. As most Angelenos do.

To throw out a few recent and memorable ones.

Saw Raul Mondesi at Footaction in Glendale Galleria as a kid. He was wearing a murse.

Also ran into Steve Young at Glendale Galleria. The guy has HUGE hands.

Carmen Electra at Beverly Center.

Jodeci and Kareem at Bev Center as a 9th grader in 1993.

In May, I was directly behind Baron Davis and some hottie in Customs at LAX returning from Manila I was. Him I don't know. Some kid got his autograph. But the funniest thing was this old foreigner just behind Baron and in front of me. The foreigner was all up in Barons personal space. Shadow Close. Baron kept turning around and staring the guy down. Of course the foreigner had no clue Baron was uncomfortable. Until finally Baron opened his mouth and asked the guy to back up. But still the guy didn't get it. Baron asked him to give x amount of space using his hands to demonstrate. hahahhahaha. Then after the kid asked for his autograph. The foreigner asked Baron, "Are you famous or something?" Hahahahahah.

Not the 1st time I have seen Baron in LA. Been to a couple Hollywood Clubs he was hanging out at.

Saw Jessica Alba at a Laker game. Such a disappointment. Not as attractive in person. Sitting lower bowl I saw her leaving her seat. I immediately found her exit tunnel and there were a ton of people waiting for her to come out. So I stood way back away from the crowd with my gf. She ended up walking straight through the crowd and blined it towards me with Cash Warren. I literally could put my arm out and grab her shoulder. But I didn't. I from LA. I was cool calm and collected.

The one and only time I was celebrity shell shocked was when I met Kanye West. My cousins room mate Estero the singer is friends with Kanye. I was invited to join them for Kanyes performance party the night he was on Jay Leno. When Kanye walked straight up to us and Estero introduced me. I couldn't freakin believe it. THEN HE INVITED US TO HIS HOUSE!!!! Next thing I know we are in the Hollywood Hills at his house with his close friends. And Im talking fantasy football with NO ID! Kanyes mentor. Awesome. Short and sweet version.

Another time Coolio grabbed my girlfriends ass at Hollys in Hollywood. What a jerk. I know he doesn't count as a celebrity.

Last year I ate at Mr Chows in Beverly Hills for a friends bday and Mr Hustler himself Larry Flynt was at the table next to us. Gold wheelchair and all. His Bentley's license plate read "hstler1".

Shared a small VIP room(2 tables) with Ludacris at a club on sunset. My buddy was celebrating his 30th bday. Homie dropped 5K for his vip table with a $600 tip for the waitress. INSANE NIGHT. Shout out to Rachel!:applause:

Most angelenos have seen celebrities and know to leave them alone. Let them have their privacy especially when they are eating.

Tons more to share but thats LA for you. :rockon:

[Kobe8]

***** Warning...DKLaker is going into another long "Old Guy" rant...lol ****

This is one of the things I really hate about sports today, there is such a personal disconnect between players and fans....most pro athletes have no respect for even their most diehard fans......In the old days players would say the they truly loved their fans and "The fans pay our salaries".
(The Lakers are far more fan friendly than any other franchise today)
In the old days at the Forum, the Lakers were extremely accessible....my friends and I would go to the back ramp on the south side and wait for autographs, not only would everyone sign for all fans but they would look you in the eye and have a conversation with you....even remember your name next time they saw you....with the exception of KAJ who is a MAJOR "@#&%". Magic was and still is nicer than you could imagine.....they were all like good friends.
The visiting teams were cool too, they would sign and it's funny that most of them stayed at the hotel that used to be next to the racetrack accross the street out the south exit......things were so relaxed then that players would walk fron the ramp, through the parking lot to the hotel without any security at all. Hell, at baseball games they would just walk out with the crowd to the bus just like nothing....even the biggest superstars.
I think that kind of direct contact with humble players makes you root for them even more and builds a loyal fan base more than anything.
At a recent Dodgers game I was in the VIP waiting area under the stadium waiting for a couple friends and there were a group of about 25 kids and parents behind a rope. Dodgers players walked out and refused to even look at the fans despite their cheering and begging....not even a wave.
From the entire team only Matt Kemp stopped, signed every autograph, took photos with anyone who wanted one and talked and laughed with them.
He turned a very dispirited group of kids into a gleeful happy crowd....all by giving up less than 10 minutes of his time.....I guarantee you those kids will be his fans for life.
Despite what some say, Kobe is a great guy.....Lebron is a complete jerk.....i'll leave it at that before someone tells me I went over my word limit :oldlol:


First part of your story is like a Fairytale but hey I never met you so I cant really judge you or anything..

But if what yu said is true then damnn , your life must be amazing..

Chilin wit amare in CASINO's? mann , your one lucky b****** man :cheers: