Andrew Rafner

Name: Andrew Rafner
Username: varsityoptimism
Age: 20
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Contribution: Writer/Podcast
E-Mail: varsity_optimism@theLakersNation.com

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Own Words:
I guess I was predisposed to this. Born into it. My mother’s water broke at the Great Western Forum. Right beneath the championship banners and the Big Dipper’s jersey. Right to the left of the Laker Band. Right in the middle of the third quarter of a 108-104 victory against the Kings.

As a fan, I have been blessed to have a father who is celebrating his 28th consecutive season as a ticket holder. From as early as I can remember, I have been not only a fan, but obsessed with the Los Angeles Lakers. I always try and qualify my relationship with this team I love so much as “the only thing I have never stopped liking”.

As I became a more cognizant fan, I would sit in front of the television and become entranced by the wordsmith Chick Hearn. I would cheer on my heroes Eddie and Nick the Quick. I would hope to God I could grow a beard like Vlade. I would wonder who Frankie King was and when he would ever play.

I was at Staples when the Lakers captured their first title since the year of my birth. As my Dad and I embraced, tears streaming down our faces, I looked down to the court and saw Kobe and Shaq in an eerily similar position. It is moments like that that define us as fans. The moment when Derek saved us in 0.4 seconds, the only time in my life loquaciousness ceased and I was utterly speechless. And although I was constantly frustrated with Shaq’s perceived lack of effort. I still loved this team. Yet, I still strove for that indefinable connection.

The connection that makes you not only root for them as Forum Blue and Gold clad warriors, but as people. Season after season, I hoped it would happen. I hoped I would care about Devean George and his crazy green eyes. I hoped I would rally round Caron Butler’s scowl and Brian Grant’s dreadlocks. Yet, I still just lived off the wins and losses. Nothing more than a one sided, abusive relationship. I wanted my team to love me back, dammit!

And it has finally has. I memorized the media guide. I have a beard and looked a heck of a lot like Sasha. I stand up with Jordan and Ronny until the first points are netted. I wore short shorts to the Boston game. I yell and scream until I am hoarse, even if its a victory. Especially if it’s a victory.

This is the team I always wanted. This is the fan I always wanted to be. I want to grow up with Andrew Bynum (heck, we’re only a few months apart). I want to learn Spanish chants for Pau. Each game I feel as if something special is happening. And this incarnation of the squad does a tremendous job of truly making us, the fans, feel as if we are a part of it.

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