ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakers are one win away from NBA Championship number 17, and while the future is bright, David Kohler wants to celebrate the excitement of the moment paying homage to the greatness of the past.

The man who brought it all together has aptly named the largest collection of Lakers memorabilia in the world, the Lakers Shrine.

In 1979, Kohler founded his own sports memorabilia auction and consignment company, SCP Auctions. As his business took off, he started tracking down treasures from his favorite team.

The Lakers shrine on the second floor of his home is 35 years in the making.

“It’s my passion, and when I got ten years into it, I was like this could really be something special,” said Kohler.

It is not just one fan’s sports collection; it is a museum of Laker lore. The fabric of Los Angeles literally hangs in the air. There are the artifacts of games and great moments that all Lakers fans have some connection too. 

While this de facto museum is illuminated by the successes of the past, Kohler admits that walking into this room has not held the same allure over the past ten years.

“But that’s why you enjoy it when you do have these great successful years and these championships. That is what it is all about being a fan. No matter what your team is. You always stay with them, you never change," he said. 

Now, the lights are back on and the Los Angeles Lakers are finally back where they belong.