Though a "state of civil emergency" was declared
yesterday in Seattle due to thousands of protestors
"clogging downtown streets demonstrating against the World
Trade Organization," last night's 7:00pm PT Lakers-Sonics
game at KeyArena "started on time without incident,"
according to Angelo Bruscas of the SEATTLE POST-
INTELLIGENCER. An extra 50 security guards were "on hand"
and the NBA was "alert about the situation ... but there
appeared to be few hassles for fans." Lakers coach Phil
Jackson, whose team "didn't even spend the night" in
Seattle: "The [team] bus was met by a group of protestors,
but as soon as they saw that it was the Lakers and not
anyone significant, they let us through." Full House Sports
& Entertainment President John Dresel said that he "didn't
know of any calls from fans concerned about their safety"
(SEATTLE P-I, 12/1). CBS SportsLine's Mike Kahn notes that
"incredibly," the game was a sellout with 17,072 fans. NBA
VP/Operations Rod Thorn: "We monitored the situation
closely. We had the (game) officials drive down from
Vancouver last night and stay in a hotel near the Arena so
there weren't problems. We also have police escorts for the
Lakers and the Sonics" (CBS SportsLine, 12/1).
