The Los Angeles Lakers recently slashed ticket prices with the objective of compelling people to watch their games.
Without superstar Kobe Bryant and being the second worst team in the Western Conference with a record of 20-56, fans found no reason to continue attending their lackluster games. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to perform worse than Los Angeles with a record of 16-60. The Lakers are currently on a three-game losing streak, based on a report by NBA.com.
TMZ Sports reported that the team might have considered Jack Nicholson's strategy of cutting ticket prices to new lows just to get more people to attend.
Insiders reported that ticket prices for the eight remaining games have been the lowest all season. Seats positioned directly behind courtside seats, which used to peg $400, are on sale for only $119. According to sources in the Lakers box office, the ticket costs were slashed in a desperate effort since "no one is showing up for the games".
Fans who avail of the cheaper tickets can only expect to watch their home team lose time and again. OC Register reported that during the game between the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers fans started to move out of Staples Center in the middle of the fourth quarter. Many were already out just a few minutes before the final quarter began. The Clippers won 106-78, with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan punishing the rim with vicious dunks and other Clippers shooters draining three-pointers.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have been apparently boring, lulling most fans to sleep. Based on another TMZ Sports report, supermodel Heidi Klum's son was spotted sitting courtside sleeping as his mom and brother watch a Lakers game.
Seatgeek reported that Lakers games tickets were priced as low as $11 depending on the seat location. Perhaps Lakers fans who attend the remaining games will be more interested in checking the celebrities sitting courtside than the players themselves. As the team continues to wane and take a break from the NBA playoffs, they can set their sights towards getting the No. 1 draft pick in 2015.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are in rebuilding mode. Steve Nash recently announced his retirement while veteran Kobe Bryant only has a few games left before he finally hangs up his basketball sneakers. Lakers fans have to deal with the fact that Los Angeles games will miss its usual highlights until the team acquires the needed talents to win again.