LOS ANGELES -- Fans at Thursday night's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs commemorated the arena known for more than 22 years as Staples Center at its final event before it will be christened as Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
"Staples," as it was known colloquially in Los Angeles, became synonymous with the Lakers' championship teams headlined by Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Pau Gasol and coached by Phil Jackson. The Lakers won the NBA championship each of their first three seasons at Staples Center, and won three additional titles while calling the building home.