Thirty Years Later, It’s the Lakers Who Make Their Mark on History

My God, what a relief! I’ve been waiting for this literally all my life. I’m a 28-year-old L.A. native who has been living the quiet agony of the diehard Laker fan lo these many years. But now the green monkey is off our backs.

Forget all the humility and sportsmanship we had to exhibit during the championship series of the 60s, baby, it’s time to kick tail . . . and how sweet it is!

No longer will the smell of Red’s cigar or the echo of Russell’s cackle haunt us. Thank you, Pat and Kareem and Magic and James and Byron and Kurt and Coop and Mac and Mitch and Mike and Larry and Chuck. You did the one thing West and Baylor didn’t. You whipped the Celtics’ butts.

For that, we will be eternally grateful.

BILL GRIFFITH

Valencia