I think most athletes as youngsters have some older athlete that they want to be œjust like when they grow up. I know I did. Sometimes it is a nationally known hero and often times it is just a local hero that is a few years older. That was the case for me.

My idol was Bill Sharman, the ex-Celtic Hall of Famer who grew up just down the road from me in Porterville, CA where I was born. In a way we were both Porterville guys.

How I first was introduced to Bill was as a fast pitch softball player. My uncle, Arlen Stadmiller, managed the Porterville Reds. They played in the San Joaquin Valley League, arguably the best fast pitch league in the West. All the teams were small town teams with some of the best pitchers in the world.

Bill was the Reds shortstop and hit over .300 for the season which you might know is very difficult to do in the game of softball. He was fresh out of the U.S. Navy where he had been since graduating from high school.

The Reds won the Valley League Championship that year and Bill Sharman was a key player. My Dad and I saw most of their games that season.

Sports fans know about Bill Sharmans athletic career at the University of Southern California where he enrolled after that summer. Leading scorer in the PAC 8 in basketball. Starter on USCs championship baseball team. A two-sport star and, of course, my two sports in college.

What most people dont know is how great an athlete he was in high school. All-Valley halfback in football. The same honor in basketball and baseball. Valley record holder in the long jump and valley mixed doubles champion in tennis. Not a bad guy to idolize.

When Bill left USC and was signed by the Celtics they became the NBA team I followed. He also signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. And, he eventually made the team after a fine minor league career.

The point of this is I paid attention to what he did and how he did it. His work ethic. His skills on the court. The great Jerry West of LA Laker fame told me that Bill was the best middle distance jump shooter to play the game. He was also a 90% free thrower.

As a coach, he started the shoot-around which is common practice now with basketball teams at all levels. He coached the Lakers to an NBA championship with their best record ever. I know that team well as I was coaching the Portland Trail Blazers at that time. He has been an outstanding executive in the Lakers organization for years.

What this blog is really about is to thank you, Bill Sharman, for being my role model even though I never told you this. Your determination to be the best has always inspired me.

Even though we have never had the opportunity to spend much time together I have valued your friendship. Thank you for all you have contributed to my life. You are the best.