Jerry West at Lakers-Celtics Game
Man, this is an even bigger deal that I anticipated. The Lakers' game at Staples tonight vs. the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics are off to a 25-3 start and look like the team to beat for the NBA title, and the Lakersare 19-10 and surging a bit, themselves.
Anyway, the media crowd here is enormous, for a midseason game, the fans are buzzing and all sorts of random guys are showing up. Rick Fox, for instance, who played for both teams.
And Jerry West, just now introduced as the Lakers' honorary captain for the game.
West got a big ovation. And players from both teams surged forward to shake his hand, to hug the guy. And it strikes me anew just how massively popular West is in this market. I mean, does anybody dislike Jerry West? Anybody?
Anyway, West almost embodies the Lakers-Celtics rivalry. He was the Lakers' best player, along with Elgin Baylor, through the 1960s, when the Lakers and Celtics seemed to play for the NBA title every season -- and the Celtics won Every Single Time.
West got an NBA title in 1972, but it was over the New York Knicks. He never was around for a victory over the Celts.
Turns out the Lakers didn't actually beat the Celtics in a title series until 1985.
When West came out, the crowd went nuts, and Boston's Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce all pushed forward to shake his hand, and Kobe Bryant came over and hugged him, as well. Ol' Jerr. Zeke from Cabin Creek. Mr. Clutch. One of the handful of biggest stars in L.A. sports history, and he's in the house.
Anyway, big game. Great atmosphere. Better even than Christmas Day.