Lakers honor Kobe Bryant in emotional pre-game ceremony
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The Los Angeles Lakers honored NBA legend Kobe Bryant in an emotional tribute Friday at the Staples Center.
It was the team’s first game since Kobe, his daughter and seven other parents and daughters were killed in a helicopter crash.
It was a night of raw emotion.
It began with a spotlight on the empty jerseys never again to be filled by the man who made those numbers mean so much to so many.
Two empty chairs were left courtside draped in Bryant’s number 24 jersey and his daughter Gianna’s number 2 Mamba Academy jersey.
Then Lebron James took the lead.
It’s the first time James has spoken publicly about Bryant since the deadly helicopter crash.
The Laker family observed 24.2 seconds of silence.
Then Boyz II Men sent emotions soaring with the national anthem.
The Lakers’ starters took to the court in a show of solidarity by having the stadium announcer introduce them all by the same name: Kobe Bryant.
Fans were also asked to put on the commemorative T-shirts laying on their chairs.
Unfortunately the final buzzer brought disappointment to the Lakers.
They lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 127 to 119.
Original post 2.1.20