LA Riots

It's been news for a while now, but on Sunday night the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to earn the right to call themselves champions, claiming their 15th title overall. But what started out as a night of celebration for Lakers fans city-wide quickly became, for one retail business owner, her worst nightmare. She was about to be brought back down from cloud nine and the enormity of the win was soon to come knocking - quite literally - on her front door...



The final buzzer sounded. A season's hard work had finally paid off. Kobe Bryant proved once and again that he was the best basketball player this generation's ever seen, capping it all off with a Finals MVP to further solidify his place atop the upper echelons of the basketball world. Meanwhile, his olympic teammate, Dwight Howard, could only sit in despair and wonder where it all went wrong...

Back in L.A., thousands of spectators gathered outside the Staples Center to witness the Lakers bask in the glory of yet another NBA Championship. The atmosphere was electric. However, emotions would soon boil over. Belligerent fans, in their post-game euphoria, began overturning vehicles and looting stores. Sneaker boutique, Holy Grail, happened to be one of those stores. Their shop was ransacked and their entire inventory - consisting of some rare collector's items, even - made off with by dozens of over-hyped idiots who thought this a good opportunity to not only release a bunch of pent up energy, but destroy someone's business while at it. Police were informed, but amid all the chaos, could not intervene, instead opting to relegate themselves to being bystanders.

The estimated value of goods stolen was close to $150,000. Winning a championship is no excuse to uproot a growing business. This mindlessness is becoming an all too familiar feeling. Hope the owners get back on their feet.