Jack Nicholson! We assure you, this name will surely pop up on Magic Johnson’s list of favorite people he partied with after winning a championship title. There’s being a Lakers fan, and then there’s Nicholson. Take a quick look back at any Lakers game in the ’80s, and you’ll find the basketball fan in his most ordinary fit, yet still very noticeable, being the charming person he is. And hoo-wee! The Chinatown star is finally set to be honored by the Naismith Hall of Fame, along with other loyal fans.

The number of games and parties the actor attended for the Lakers is probably why he deserves this honor in every sense. But the most heartwarming moment was when the actor made an appearance at the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers game in 2023.

He had a heart-melting exchange with 4x NBA champ LeBron James. The two veterans of their own craft shared a handshake and a warm hug before the game. At 86, he appeared more thrilled than anyone else on the court. Being a season ticket holder for the franchise since 1970, he always made it a point to attend Lakers games until 2021. So, his appearance in 2023 after almost 2 years was a special one.

He shared a special bond with ’80s players like Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, and Kurt Rambis. Photographed by Brian Lanker, this image perfectly captures what the Lakers’ championship parties were like. All four players wore sunglasses and their Lakers uniforms as they held Nicholson. Through both good and bad times, the actor was often found courtside, cheering for the team.

He shared a great connection with Kobe Bryant as well. Along with Shaquille O’Neal, he led the Lakers made three back-to-back championships. After the passing of Bryant, Nicholson said, “My reaction is the same as almost all of L.A.” “Where we think everything’s solid, there’s a big hole in the wall. I was used to seeing and talking to Kobe that — it kills you. It’s just a terrible event,” he told CBS Los Angeles.

Nicholson often brought his celebrity friends along to the games as well. Now, we will finally see him getting honored at the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery on Oct. 13. The other three members to be honored are actor Billy Crystal, businessman Alan Horwitz, and Malcolm X director Spike Lee.

Billy Crystal, Spike Lee, and more to be honored by Naismith Hall of Fame

Crystal was initially a fan torn between his childhood and present loyalties. He grew up as a Knicks fan, but as an adult, he became an avid supporter of the Los Angeles Clippers. Interestingly, he chose the Clippers over the Lakers.

The reason is as surprising as Crystal’s decision to both roast and cheer for the Clippers. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he laughed about how there were so few people at Los Angeles Clippers games. He joked that a triple-double at a Clippers game meant three couples!

Furthermore, he roasted how the arena was old and that earthquake cracks were just filled with foam, a wild experience, to say the least. However, what kept him loyal to the Clippers was their game. 

He enjoyed rooting for the underdogs. If you’re a Clippers fan and think you were the happiest when Paul George and Kawhi Leonard joined the team, Crystal might be your biggest competition. “When I saw that trade happen, it felt a little obscene to me. But now that we have our two guys, it feels O.K,” Crystal said to the New York Times.

With every new draft pick or trade, he remained patient and hopeful. There’s always hope when he talks about the Clippers. We can’t think of a more deserving fan for the honor.

Like Nicholson, you’ll always find Horwitz courtside, decked out in his signature Philadelphia 76ers gear. Popularly known as ‘Old Man Knees,’ ‘The Sixth Man,’ or ‘Papi,’ he’s a constant presence at the games. For years, he has had ongoing feuds with opposing players, including Bryant. He’s also known to beef with other players during games. Courtside, he enthusiastically held up 76ers posters as high as he could during two important games in Toronto in 2019.

We’ve seen the Knicks’ Spike Lee do something similar to cheer for his team. It’s about time these legendary fans received the honor they deserve.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.