Our Bert’s Big Adventure kid Lake has Leukemia, and very last minute was unable to go on the Bert’s Big Adventure trip to Disney World. Well, the day before yesterday, we brought him in studio and surprised him with his dream: he’s always wanted to be an NBA player, and so the Atlanta Hawks picked him up OFFICIALLY for a day-long contract.
He even got coverage from Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Washington Post, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, and Fox Sports!
Video Of The Night
Now that he’s a bonafide NBA @ATLHawks player, Lake has to do press photo ops & interviews, obvs. #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/pd2yK7likl
— The Bert Show (@TheBertShow) April 7, 2015
The official signed contract! #BBA2015 kid Lake is now part of the @ATLHawks! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/xIIDfHHUHE — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
Then, Lake got to go court side during warm-up where he hung out and chatted with all of the Hawks players, took pictures, and had them sign his basketball…and had some special people ask HIM for his autograph!
No big deal. Just warming up…on the court…of @PhilipsArena…with @KyleKorver. @ATLHawks #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/X28AsIyRdE
— Kristin Klingshirn (@KrisKling) April 7, 2015
.@ATLHawks player Lake’s busy court side hanging w/ @Al_Horford, @Teague01 & the legendary @dwilkins21! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/9rR4l4Xt2X — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
Um, WOW. How cool is this: @DWilkins21 just asked Lake for his autograph! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/9FgNc2zswX
— Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
He also got to greet them on the court as they ran on to kick off the game, then watched from a VIP seating area (did we mention the Hawks ALSO hooked him up with dinner in his private suite?); he made it on TV and even had his name plastered across a blimp in the stadium.
Can’t really beat this view unless you’re playing IN the game. @ATLHawks #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/WV36bzMPWH — The Bert Show (@TheBertShow) April 7, 2015
Even the blimp loves our newest player! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/P8lDRf8RgO
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 8, 2015
Then, at the end of halftime, it was time for the super special player backstage tour: not only did every employee he passed congratulate him on his contract, but he got to see the locker room…
Lake’s getting a VIP @ATLHawks backstage tour – checking out the players’ locker room! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/Uo6nONzyy0 — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 8, 2015
…the players lounge (complete with a decked out kitchen and the coolest video game systems EVER), training area, practice court, special team meeting room (he got to pick out ‘his’ chair to sit in!), secret candy cabinet…and then this happened:
Jeff Teague is Lake’s favorite Hawks player, so the Hawks gifted Lake with a pair of Jeff Teague’s CUSTOM color, custom made, not-for-sale Derrick Rose shoes.
The @ATLHawks just gave Lake a pair of Jeff Teague’s CUSTOM color, not for sale Derrick Rose shoes! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/pVvwrYhQ9n
— The Bert Show (@TheBertShow) April 8, 2015
Not only did every Hawks employee from Coach Budenholzer, the players and the cheerleaders to security, Philips Arena staff, and Hawks team staff congratulate lake on his contract, but in the post-game conference, Coach Budenholzer even gave him a shout out!
Lake got some love from Coach Budenholzer in the press conference after the @ATLHawks win! #LakeTheGreat http://t.co/ZMXcTGGzsD — The Bert Show (@TheBertShow) April 8, 2015
1-day on the job and already a nickname for our newest player: #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/BqFDLnFCWo
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 7, 2015
History made tonight @PhilipsArena. A sell out crowd welcomed our newest player Lake Bozman & family. Proud to be an @ATLHawks fan #58Wins — Steve Koonin (@SteveKoonin) April 8, 2015
Was able to snap a picture of our newest @ATLHawks member! Going to carry us to the finals #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/dmfg5n589Q
— Adam Yu (@AdamATLbeer) April 7, 2015
So legit right now: Lake’s @ATLHawks contract made @SInow! http://t.co/5nXJuCFaf5 #LakeTheGreat #SportsIllustrated — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
Lake’s fans are ready with the shoutout signs! He’s about to sign his @ATLHawks contract! #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/QnghzV7NQi
— Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
This kid has GAME, y’all. Think Lake’ll fit right in with the other NBA players. #LakeTheGreat pic.twitter.com/LBDFQiL3lq — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 8, 2015
Franchise record 58 wins for the @ATLHawks! New signee Lake Bozeman played a big part in that win! @bertsbigadv #LakeTheGreat
— Christopher Moore (@cTopherMoore) April 8, 2015
Lake’s baby bro Trindon is ALL about #LakeTheGreat & the @ATLHawks! pic.twitter.com/gf2otCWM5O — Bert’s Big Adventure (@bertsbigadv) April 7, 2015
