I think we've never seen a game like the one played by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers . Not for the game, the result or the performance of any of the players, but for what happened before.
The Lakers made this long-awaited tribute to Kobe Bryant , team and league legend, icon of the city, who died last Sunday in a helicopter accident in which eight more people also lost their lives, among which he was his daughter Gigi , only 13 years old.
For Kobe and Gigi it was the ceremony, the music, the silence and the excitement of the moments before a game that surely should not have been played after such a tribute. The players of both teams with tears in their eyes and the fans thinking about everything but basketball.
The California franchise distributed nearly 20,000 shirts of the legendary '8' and '24 'that Kobe wore in purple and gold. Usher and Boyz II Men performed ...
Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist Ben Hong played the 'Hallelujah ' ...
And at the break, continuing with the tribute, Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth on piano played 'See You Again '.
In addition, and no less important or emotional, LeBron James gave a speech from the bottom of his heart, without papers or writings.
"I see this as a celebration. The celebration of 20 years of blood, sweat, tears, the shattered body, getting up, sitting ... Everything. The countless hours, the determination to be the best possible. A celebration of the child who came here at age 18, retired at age 38 and became the best father we have seen in these past three years, "James explained.
Bryant's death has mourned the Staples Center throughout the week. The franchise did not want to pronounce itself publicly until after several days, in an emotional silence that showed a deep devastation. Rob Pelinka , vice president of the team, was a close friend of Kobe and Gigi's godfather. And, like him, to a greater or lesser extent, every employee of the Lakers.
" The first thing that comes to mind is about the family . I look around in the pavilion and we are all hurt. With a broken heart. Disconsolate. But when we go through things like that the best we can do is lean on the shoulders of your family , and from Sunday morning until today is the only thing I've seen here. Not only for the players, not just for the technicians or the organization. For all, "James continued.
The Lakers covered all the retired shirts and left only the '8' and '24' in sight, the players wore the Kobe shirt during the warm-up and presentation, and in the front row of the Staples they made room for the teammates from Gigi. Special videos on video markers, Kobe's life, his career ... and 24.2 (24 for Bryant's number, 2 for his daughter's number) seconds of silence to end.
"All of us here are family. And I know that Kobe, Gianna, Vanessa and all of them thank them from the bottom of their hearts. Kobe is a brother to me. Since I was in high school, watch him play, watch all the battles that "We have been here. Being here means a lot to me. I want to continue this legacy with my teammates, not only this year, but as much as we can play what we love, because that's what Kobe Bryant would want. So, in the words of Kobe Bryant , ' Mamba out', but in ours, 'We do not forget you, long life, brother ,' said LeBron, who wore Kobe's model shoes to play.
The Blazers won with a spectacular Lillard. The Lakers lost. It was the least.
It was a night to remember " Number 24, 6'6, 20th campaign from Lower Merion High School ...".
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