Well-known for his passion, drive and positive outlook, Sasha Vujacic captivates and inspires fans throughout the world. One of the fans who embodies these very qualities is Los Angeles resident Janice O’Brien. I spoke with Janice about her Sasha fandom, game-watching ritual and the challenge not to wear green.
With her cheerful disposition and optimistic perspective on basketball and life, it’s no wonder that Janice is a devoted “Vujachick.” And while she praises Sasha’s outlook and goals, Janice is in fact quite an inspiring woman herself.
How long have you been a fan?
I have been a Lakers fan since 1994 when my husband and I first moved to Los Angeles from San Jose, CA. That is when I learned about a basketball team called the Los Angeles Lakers — and saw a cute player named Kobe Bryant. It was Laker love at first sight, and I never looked back!
I have been a Sasha fan ever since he was drafted by the Lakers in 2004. He has really developed his game over the past four years and is able to run the floor quickly, shoot those great threes, get awesome steals and make crisp passes to teammates. He can even run the basketball to the hole and show me a coast-to-coast at times! It looks like his overall game is beginning to gel, and I like it! I am totally wowed by how far he has progressed with the Lakers from a rookie to now.
What was it about Sasha that first caught your attention?
Besides his smile and ravishing good looks, what first caught my attention was that he had a passion to play basketball along with a great work ethic and the ability to run fast and always be active on the defensive end. These are the intangibles of the game that really keep the opposition off balance, and I loved to watch him do these things.
I also watched him sit on the bench those first couple years when Phil would let him play a few minutes here and there then take him out of the game. I always wished he could play more minutes, so he could develop his game more and show us what he’s got, but I understood that playing behind the great Kobe Bryant would severely limit those minutes and that his time would come soon.
What are some of your favorite things about Sasha?
There are so many favorite things, but my most, most favorite thing about him is his beautiful smile. I love when people smile because to me it brings out the beauty in them. Sasha has a very unique smile in that it really lights up a room and brings out his true essence.
Also, I enjoy it when he talks in the positive about things and knows that his goals will be reached sooner or later. This inspires me to keep on track with my own positive outlook and goals which I am striving for. Basketball greats always envision what they want and how they want things to be. In order to be a sports player at the level he is at, it takes great confidence and a healthy outlook on life and the knowledge that you will reach your goals. I am truly inspired by people like Sasha that talk about this and actually do it!
Do you have a favorite Sasha moment or game?
I have a lot of favorite Sasha moments, but the main one that comes to mind, besides him getting re-signed to the Lakers, was his performance in Game #3 of the Finals. It was so exciting to watch him play with heart and be the basketball player that he truly is. I also loved that he was getting his overdue attention for his great play from the press and others. I remember before the Finals even began I mentioned to my husband that I hope Sasha has a spotlight moment in these Finals, that I would just love that. And he did! I was so happy!
Tell us about your game-watching ritual.
My husband and I take Lakers games very seriously and TiVo and watch every single game. Even if we miss games from being on vacation or whatever, we will catch up and watch them. We relish every single one! On game days, we watch the game as soon as we are home together and actually make an event of it. We both have a lot Lakers shirts and hats, but I usually wear my Sasha gear like his jersey, or my gray or yellow #18 T-shirt. My other favorite T-shirt is the “Bench Mob” shirt that Farmar created last year during the Finals.
You’re one of the fans who has chosen not to wear green. How is that going?
It is really a difficult thing for me because green happens to be one of my very favorite colors in clothing. Also, my husband being Irish, green is a very important color. But not important when it is that green team’s color! When I heard Sasha say that he was not going to be into green this season, I decided that I would join him in this mission against that green team because Sasha inspires me.
The day after our great Celtics win (February 5th), I did wear all green to work in celebration of our victory. I walked into work and opened my arms out and said to my co-workers, “Today I wear green in celebration of our win!” They just laughed with me! It was a fun day! But from now until we win the Championship, I will not wear green even though I find it a challenge. It is a welcomed challenge because who knows, this single intention might go out into the world and bring us that coveted Championship in June! So, I’m in!
If you could say one thing to Sasha, what would it be?
“You will win the championship this year!” That is my sincere wish for Sasha and the Lakers. Oh, and I would also say stuff like, “I admire the progress you have made and all your hard work and your game, and I love you!” But that is more than one thing!
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February 15th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
janice!!!! omg, i am so excited to see you as the first featured fan. i am so proud of you, woman. great interview, good answers, not much left any of us fans can say. lol!
for the record, when i met sasha, the “one thing” i told him was, “you’re my favorite laker.” duh!
all the gals from the sasha ning forum are going to be so stoked to see one of our own here on the official site launch.
btw, how cool is it that sasha actually had an official site created? such a good idea.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Oh. My. Gaa. AWESOME!
)
I’m smiling so much my double chin is showing. hahaha!
I’m LOVING this part of the site.
Great interview.
<333
February 15th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Great Interview Jan. Looks like you really enjoy the sport of basketball. I don’t follow sports very much. To busy with internet things. But I’m proud of the way you handles this interview. Rudy
February 15th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Either she’s a bandwagon fan or she’s got her history mixed up. Kobe didn’t start until ’96. But her love for Sasha is awesome. Gotta give it to her.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Angela ~ Yea, I got my dates mixed up ~ moved here in ’94, watched Laker basketball with one eye and really started paying attention when Kobe came on board a couple years later. I thought about the dates later after interview, but didn’t think it would matter, but thanx for pointing that out
February 16th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I’m glad that there is a website now!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
And this all started with a class project….very cool & great job!
February 16th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Great story!!! Nice to get to know other fans
February 16th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
This is such an amazing website. So refreshing comparing to http://www.lakers.com that I usually visit that is sooo clutered with advertising takes forever to read info I want. How do I get interviewed for this website like this fan did?
February 17th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Great interview, Janice!! Am proud to see more and more ning members here!! =)
February 17th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Jan, you sound great. Go Lakers!
February 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Janice
Great job with the interview. It must be super exciting to be able to be interviewed about your favorite laker. We will win the championship this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
way cool! nice job on the interviw!How exciting-Great job Jan!!!
love the website,and the great # 18!!
February 17th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Hi Janice, I told you before on the other forum but congrats on your interview. Very cool!! Glad I got to meet you. Always like to make friends with other girls who love sweet Angel Pumpkin Sasha!!! Ginger/Sashamir
February 18th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Very knowledgeable interview!!! You really know Sasha’s game. I can feel your passion.
The up side is Sasha’s going to get better & better as good as he already is. Especilly when he has the best in the NBA as his teacher in Kobe Bryant.
Good job.
February 19th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Can I be your TOP TEN FRIEND? I love watching Lakers’ games but I never got to see live with basketball court. I only watched TV. Someday I want to stand next to Sasha and take a picture. Oh man, you are tall. I wish I can be tall but you know Asian is not that tall. You have a lot of fans loving you out there. I wish I can see you.
Phuong Nguyen
February 19th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I had the pleasure of meeting Janice at the Lakers vs. Thunder game. I can tell you that like Sasha, she is very passionate about the game and has the enthusiasim to match! She is a true fan!
February 21st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
too coool, way 2 go. go lakers. love my cali teams. (49ers)
March 17th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
janice you’re sooo right about sasha’s smile i always dream about it at night and his hair is awesome i absolutely love him
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Great website and interview. Jan and Pat are sports fanatics but someone needs to define “tall”. Best wishes for a Laker’s win and continue on with all the positive thoughts and comments.
May 26th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Marlene ~ I guess Sasha is “tall” or taller than most of us being 6’7″ ~ I know that he is way taller than me by at least a foot + a bit! haha! Thanks for liking on Sash’s web site and my interview. We love our Sasha and Lakers and will keep supporting them towards their Championship push and eventual trophy! It’s a long way to the top, but worth it! Go Sasha! Go Lakers!