Where were you?

What were you doing on January 23, 2006? What about November 7, 1991?August 5, 2002?

If you are a Los Angeles sports fan, all of these dates should probably mean something to you. You probably remember where you were at a certain point during each of these days when you heard the news. Or watched the game.

A generation ago, people remembered where they were when JFK was shot. No sports-related news will ever come close, but for die-hard Lakers and Dodgers fans, there are a few moments that stand-out. In my lifetime (born in 1981), here are the top goose-bump-worthy and memorable moments for the Lakers and their fans. Jonesing for some NBA time, I’ve gone back and picked five of my favorites. They are personal to me. Many people may have others, and I’d like to hear about yours as well. Here’s hoping the NBA lockout ends soon!

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5: May 26, 2002 – Robert Horry takes a tipped rebound and drills a 3-pointer at the buzzer, sending Staples Center into pandemonium.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=769f_gjkDaA

In my college apartment with my roommates and others, I jumped up and took a lap with my Shaq jersey on. It was clear that the Lakers were becoming beatable, and that I better enjoy it while it lasted. For Lakers fans, the 3-peat was so, so sweet.

4: January 23, 2006 – Kobe Bryant scores 81 points. Because Toronto can’t play any defense and Kobe never saw a shot he didn’t like. He made 18 free throws and helped to win a game that featured the likes of Chris Mihm, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker and Lamar Odom along with Kobe in the starting lineup. No wonder he didn’t pass…

My cousin called me at my house. I was living in Colorado and probably sleeping. I didn’t watch much of the Lakers that year (see starting lineup above), but I definitely taped the replay and watched it later on. Can anyone imagine what would have happened if Kobe hadn’t acted like a jerk in his final years with Shaq, causing everyone in their right mind to shy away from the purple and gold for a number of years…?

3: June 9, 1987 – Magic Johnson hits a sky-hook in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. When Larry Bird’s shot doesn’t go at the buzzer, the Lakers take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. (Still wondering where Amazing will happen this year…)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT4D0t3jH5k

Along with the Gibson home run, Magic’s sky hook is one of two indelibly imprinted sports moments during the first 10 years of my life. I was on the living room floor watching the game. I was so into the game, that I don’t even remember who else was there. Probably my dad. When Magic made the sky-hook, all seemed right with the world.

2: November 7, 1991 – Magic Johnson announces he has HIV and retires. Among everything else, Magic retires not from the NBA, not from professional basketball, but “from the Lakers.” Because there isn’t another team he would have ever played for.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSfy4AhDDnw

I was 10 years old and went to soccer practice. I remember running laps before practice. The feeling of emptiness and the unknown when it came to a childhood idle is something I remember to this day. 

1: August 5, 2002 – Chick Hearn passes away. I’ll admit it. I cried. Chick was the greatest. For the first 21 years of my life, it was Chick and Vin. How lucky was I? I didn’t take the play by play guys by granted then and I still don’t. There will never be anyone like Chick. He was simply the best.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFBxNCiL7cw

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J78OKgsyP8

Living in Florida, I moved a little slower that day. I went down to the park and watched a pickup basketball game for a while. I told myself I’d wait until I heard the group of athletic Caribbean ballers use 10 Chick-isms. Ten minutes later, I was on my way home. If you hear anyone talk about Chick who was ever around him, all they have to say are good things. I can’t help but think that Chick would straighten some fools out when it comes to the current lockout situation. We miss you Chick.