“I love my Lakers and, of all the guys, Sasha is the one I would most like to have dinner with. That is how I would explain my admiration for the kid,” says longtime Los Angeles Lakers fan, David Buck. He also hopes Sasha retires as a Laker in 15 years or so. Maybe by that time, David’s son is already successful in the NBA himself. After all, he likens his offspring to his favorite Lakers player. Read on to know more about this Los Angeles native who is one of the biggest fans of the Slovenian Sasha Vujacic.

How long have you been a fan?

I have been a Lakers fan since I was 15 (30 years now). My dad dragged me to a Lakers-Celtics game in Magic’s rookie season. I was hooked. We had season tickets so I went to a ton of playoff games and in 1983 I was at the All-Star game as well. So when we drafted Sasha in 2004, I, of course, was an instant fan.

What is it like being a fan in Los Angeles?

It is awesome, are you kidding? My team is the best team of any sport anywhere. How can I not love that? I do take some heat when we don’t win (but how often is that?), but I wouldn’t trade my Lakers for any franchise in any league! We have the best owner, the best GM and the best fans in the world. I was born at County in L.A., so I am a Los Angelino forever and my Lakers are my hammer for the rest of the sports fans out there.

What was it about Sasha that first caught your attention?

He is a shooter and that is something we are always looking for. But, with Sasha, there was also the other thing — his tenacity!!!

What are some of your favorite things about Sasha?

I love the way he plays so hard and with such intensity that he is constantly annoying his opponent into mistakes. Also, he is hard-nosed and doesn’t back down to anyone.

Do you have a favorite Sasha moment or game?

My favorite “Sasha Moment” was during the playoffs two years ago. He and Raja Bell were going at it. Then Bell took a cheap shot at Kobe and Sasha was the first one there to protect KB. He is a fearless player and I love his game.

Training camp starts in a few days. Any thoughts on Sasha’s upcoming season?

Get healthy and play with that same reckless abandon that got you here. I really think the ankle was an issue for him all year and he just didn’t make excuses — another reason I am such a fan! He will be fine this year. I’m kinda glad he isn’t playing for Slovenia. He needs the rest.

Do you have any game watching rituals?

Only that I have not missed a game in three years. I always have one of my Laker jerseys on and I watch the games in my “Man Cave” (garage). It’s funny because every year for Christmas, my son gets me a new jersey, no not the city, and last year I was so excited because I thought this year it was gonna be a #18 (my boy Sashi), but it was #17 (Andrew). Don’t get me wrong, I love Drew, which is why my son got that one. But I am a 45-year-old 6′ tall white guy. I can relate a little more to Sasha than I can to Drew. I love ‘em both, they are our future; but I have wanted a Sasha jersey for three years now. I just can’t afford to buy it yet. Soon, though, I hope.

You mentioned that your 14-year-old son is like a younger version of Sasha, although he didn’t seem to like the comparison. How is your attempt at influencing your boy to become a Sasha fan going so far?

When Sasha was first drafted, my son Max didn’t like the pick. He said he was soft and that he wouldn’t make the team. I watched him that first year and saw the fire he brings. I see this in my son as well. He loves the game and it is all he does. He is a great shooter (like Sash) and a good one on one defender (like Sash) and he is always pissing off the coach for doing his own thing on defense (like Sash used to). He is coming around now. He sees how hard Sasha plays and now that Sasha has expanded his game beyond just spotting up for threes, Max sees himself as being more like him. Not a bad role model if you ask me.

If you could say one thing to Sasha, what would it be?

Thanks for your style of play. You are a great example to young players everywhere. But you need to watch the flops. You don’t want or need that rep around the league.

Go Sasha and go Lakers!