Photos: X Games and NBA Fans Converge on Nokia Plaza

Published June 28, 2009 at 3:31 a.m.

Photo by Eric Richardson.

While the Lakers' championship season is now complete, L.A. Live was quite the sporting place to be on Thursday afternoon.

An event kicking off ticket sales for X Games 15 brought skateboarders to Nokia Plaza, while Clippers fans descended on ESPN Zone to celebrate the team's number one draft pick.

The quinceañera-themed X Games event featured a mariachi band, cake and appearances by X Games athletes...Sportscenter hosts Stan Verrett and Neil Everett took a short walk from ESPN's L.A. studios, located upstairs in the complex, to visit with host Sal Masekela. Even Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dropped by the complex to show off his skateboarding form on a giant 36-foot board designed by California Skateparks.

Just a few feet away from all the extreme sports action, fans of the Los Angeles Clippers lined up outside ESPN Zone to attend the team's free draft party...The Clippers used their number one overall pick on Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.

Amidst it all were 710 ESPN hosts Dave Denholm and Brian Long, broadcasting live from a perch next to ESPN Zone's main entrance. The pair were a regular feature on the plaza in recent weeks, broadcasting outside for Lakers home playoff games.

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By Eric Richardson.

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