There is a picture taped to the wall over my desk of a man I never met. He is looking at the camera with a friendly smile while peering into a refrigerator filled with eggs, butter and jello. There is a lone bobblehead of the same man sitting atop my cubicle at work holding a silver microphone and bearing that same smile. That man is Chick Hearn.

It’s hard to believe its been 3 years since one of the greatest storytellers of basketball left us and I, like many fellow Angelinos, miss him dearly. Whether on the radio or simulcast on TV, Chick was a part of our lives, and the Laker organization, for over 42 years. His consecutive record for calling games still stands at 3,338 games beginning on November 21, 1965. He was a part of our family during the highest highs and lowest lows, and on any given day you’d know how the Lakers were playing, because he wasn’t afraid to tell us. There are times I’ll be flipping through channels only to fall upon a classic Laker highlight with Chick’s high pitched yet comforting voice booming in the background. I’d smile to myself, close my eyes and imagine I was a child in Lakerland again. Do you remember refrigerators, popcorn machines, mustard off the hot dog, dribble-drives, yo-yoing up and down, slaaaam dunks and throwing up prayers. Or perhaps I can take you back to that fantastic spring evening in 1987 at the Boston Garden…

“Magic down the middle..just what I thought…a hook shot of 12 – goooooooood! Two seconds left! The Lakers take the lead on Magic’s Johnson’s running sky hook. Whoooooo weeeeee!” (Listen)

I remember vividly the day I went to Staples Center to view the memorial for Chick. It was a warm August afternoon and fans lined the streets for a glimpse at the microphone he used in section 111 above center court. Over 20,000 Laker faithful filed by the blown up pictures chronicling his days as a Laker Broadcaster. The local TV stations made it their lead story of course and for weeks we celebrated and mourned a staple of Los Angeles. For many of us, the healing process is ongoing.

We miss you Chicky-baby.

Adam W. Bloom is the lead team site editor for the National Basketball Association. While currently residing in New York City, he remains a loyal Los Angeles Lakers fan.