Relive the stunning tribute to Kobe Bryant from the Lakers and LeBron James
In the end, it was a celebration of life — if one with a fair share of heavy hearts.
The Los Angeles Lakers took the court on Friday night for the first time since the passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant and the seven other victims in Sunday’s tragic helicopter crash. The evening promised to be emotional, but the Lakers organization and all those involved pulled out all the stops to make sure Friday was a special moment.
Before the evening began, the Lakers added a few special touches to the Staples Center floor, as well as their uniforms.
The Lakers have unveiled the court logos and jersey patch they will feature to honor Kobe Bryant. (via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/GFErVty02f
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) January 31, 2020
In addition, each seat in the arena was adorned with a Kobe t-shirt.
Lakers fans at Staples will wear No. 8 & No. 24 shirts in honor of Kobe tonight. pic.twitter.com/KWe6CfBEdK
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 31, 2020
The Lakers held an extended tribute to Bryant, with a rendition of “Amazing Grace” performed by Usher Raymond…
A tribute to Kobe Bryant
(via @Lakers)pic.twitter.com/LTubJQ8DBf
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 1, 2020
Ben Hong playing the cello while a video of Kobe speaking played in the Staples Center with footage of him and his late daughter…
“Mamba out…but not forgotten.” -LeBron James
(via @Lakers)pic.twitter.com/oce1LUr5ss
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 1, 2020
And Boyz II Men performing the National Anthem.
Boyz II Men sings the national anthem during the Lakers’ pregame ceremony. pic.twitter.com/yvnwZhyd53
— ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
But the indelible moment of the evening — the one we’ll all remember years from now — was LeBron James’ incredibly poignant speech, for which he eschewed his prepared statements and spoke from the heart:
“Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we’ve seen over the last three years.” pic.twitter.com/0sS7e91cuz
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Lost in the same helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe and Gianna were seven other passengers: John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Gianna, Alyssa and Payton were teammates on Kobe’s Mamba Academy girls team, and the Mamba girls squad sat courtside for Friday’s game.
Gianna Bryant’s teammates are sitting courtside at tonight’s Laker game pic.twitter.com/65caRSMA4y
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 1, 2020
In a particularly touching note, every member of the Lakers starting lineup was introduced as “Kobe Bryant”:
All 5 Lakers starters are introduced as Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/TmxBDEgmZX
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) February 1, 2020
As for the game, to begin, the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers followed the example of nearly every other NBA team and took a 24-second violation, followed by an 8-second violation.
24. 8.
Thank you, @trailblazers. pic.twitter.com/MrO6IQ0gt4— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Players donned Kobe-themed gear:
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Detail pic.twitter.com/Zy4MNeJAxI
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
And players broke out their best Kobe-inspired moves:
The pump-fake. The and-1. It’s just right.
(?: spectrumSN ) pic.twitter.com/FydnEQPfOn
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
In the end, the Blazers emerged triumphant, as Damian Lillard spoke of honoring Kobe with the Mamba Mentality in the victory:
“Come out here and play our hearts out. The one thing that we know for sure we had in common with Kobe is the love of this game.”
—Damian Lillard wanted to go out and honor Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/j0r1nM0YXp
— ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
Despite the Lakers’ loss, both teams put on stellar, emotional performances — in front of the most important crowd of all:
The Lakers dedicate two courtside seats to Kobe and Gigi Bryant tonight. pic.twitter.com/jUGTMli8mh
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 1, 2020
The fact a basketball game was played was the first step to returning to some sort of normalcy — the first part of not getting over the tragic passing of Bryant, but living with it and moving forward.
It was a difficult night, to be sure:
One of the toughest games I ever been apart of in my career.. #kobe #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hw6m2Xa4bW
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 1, 2020
But it was for Kobe. And everyone, from the teams to the players and fans, did him proud.
“For me it was just trying to play as hard as I can just knowing that’s what he would want me to do.”
AD on returning to the court after the loss of Kobe. pic.twitter.com/iezuQjH8tM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 1, 2020
