The Logo, Jerry West, turns 70 today. Jerry West was the closest thing I've ever had to sports hero. Heroes usually let you down, but Jerry West was my hero as a young man, and he never let me down. Jerry West will always be my favorite Laker, even if Kobe Bryant wins 8 rings. When I was in grade school, I got to attend a special Laker Christmas party at the Forum, and they gave all the kids autographed balls, which we took to the floor to shoot baskets, of course. I went to shoot around like the other kids, and I was standing right in front of Jerry West when I launched a perfect shot from the corner. He was watching. The ball got slapped back to me, and I launched and hit another. Nothing but net, both times. He walked over to me and said "We might come looking for you again in ten years." I didn't stop smiling for about an hour. The Lakers never did recruit me as a shooting guard, but that moment was one of my favorites ever.
Happy birthday, Jerry.
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