Far from a Maddening Crowd

I’m not saying the Lakers aren’t superior to the Jazz.

I’m just saying their crowd is lame.

And I’m not alone.

SI.com’s “The Climate,” which measures “what’s good and what’s not so good in sports” took the Lakers’ crowd to task, this week.

To wit: “With the NBA playoffs entering the second round this week, emotions run high, tension becomes palpable in packed arenas and Lakers fans, well, politely send Blackberry messages to their friends as they flip $300 haircuts out of their eyes. Keep in mind I’m a big Lakers fan and know fully well that L.A. has fantastic, passionate fans sitting in the upper level of Staples Center (that’s closer to Venice Beach than center court), but really, if you’re Aaron Brooks or Shane Battier taking a big shot this week, do you even worry about any psycho fans affecting your composure?”

True story: One night in the Forum, I was covering a Jazz-Lakers game. A buxom blond in a tube-top went parading along the baseline during a timeout and drew the biggest cheer of the night.

I would be tempted to say L.A. is too big for rabid fans, but that isn’t true. Chicago’s crowd was deafening during the Michael Jordan days.

Fact is, L.A.’s crowd is just too cool and laid back for a lot of wild-eyed screaming. The show is the Lakers, yeah, but it’s also all the famous people sitting courtside. Besides, rabid fans aren’t a must when it comes to winning titles. Otherwise, the Lakers wouldn’t have nine NBA championships to their credit since moving to L.A. — second-most in the league.

Crowd noise is fine, but having Kobe Bryant is better.