5 best opening night moments in Los Angeles Lakers' history

5 best opening night moments in Los Angeles Lakers’ history

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Steve Blake #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers fights for a rebound with Brad Miller #52 of the Houston Rockets during their opening night game at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Los Angeles Examiner/USC Libraries/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Best Lakers opening night moment No. 4: Lakers’ first night in Los Angeles

The Lakers were already one of the most prestigious franchises in the NBA before they moved towards the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles in 1960. Yet when they moved to Los Angeles it seemed like it changed the franchise and the NBA’s popularity in general.

Their move set the stage for Showtime two decades later to take the league to new heights with Hollywood movie stars packing the seats to see the Lakers play. This opening night lands on the list as more of symbolic gesture because of what the move meant to the franchise.

As for the actual game that happened on opening night in 1960 it was more of a disappointment for the newly minted Los Angeles Lakers. Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Slick Leonard combined for a crazy 76 points, but that still was not enough to match the Cincinnati Royals who had one of the best young point guards in the league Oscar Robertson.

The Royals ended up blowing out the Lakers 140 to 123, but this night set the stage for the Lakers to become the premiere sports franchise in one of the biggest cities in America.

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