His dad used to sell programs for .50 cents at the Forum, now is the Lakers' best promise

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the most popular franchises in the NBA and a beloved team by many fans. One of the biggest fans worked when he was about 11 years old, selling programs outside the Forum to fans on their way inside to watch Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Gail Goodrich.

And when the games were two minutes away before the game ended, he was granted access to see the closing moments. Fast forward to the 2023 NBA Draft went, Leis heard the name of his son: Maxwell Lewis, to be drafted by his beloved team, the Lakers.

Never, he figured later in life, would his youngest son, Maxwell, a player for Pepperdine, land a job with his favorite team. He still felt that way during the NBA draft last month, and then a torturous night somehow ended with a call from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in the second round.

It wasn't how Robert Lewis thought the story would go. No, the thought of it was too much even to consider. "I'm blown away, still in shock. Because all during the process of him getting drafted and the processes of him trying out for the teams, I never once said, 'I hope he goes to the Lakers.' I would've been asking too much. C'mon, Rob. Just get him drafted. And when they said Lakers, man, I was like numb." Said Robert.

A dream come true for the Lewis

"I was just so proud and happy for Max. He put in so much work for so many years, so much time. … I wasn't happy for me. It's not about me. It's him, and I wanted to see him fulfill his dream," Robert said. "This is too big. That's why I never asked for the Lakers. I just wanted him to get drafted."