This is usually the NBA Hangover, when we jot down thoughts about the league from the previous night. But we continue to navigate the terrible events of Sunday in this entry.
LeBron James did an amazing speech before Friday night’s game.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Harry How/Getty Images.)
This was difficult to get through for all of us. The Los Angeles Lakers were having their first game since the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers organization gave an incredible tribute to the man that wore both #8 and #24, christened himself The Black Mamba, won five NBA championships, a league MVP award, and spent all 20 seasons with the storied franchise. Usher took us to church, per se. Ben Hong gave a stirring performance on the cello as a video played that included Kobe Bryant’s voice that was haunting yet it made us feel that he was still around. Boyz II Men performed the national anthem.
And then there was LeBron James. Everything about this was incredible. He threw away the scripted speech that was written and spoke from the heart. LeBron James mentioned all 9 individuals that died in that horrific crash on Sunday. And then he said that this was a celebration for Kobe Bryant. Honestly, I don’t know if anyone else could’ve handled that speech as well as the “Chosen One” did.
It’s silly to even say this but to many people, LeBron James really solidified himself as a Laker this week. It’s difficult for the Laker fan base to accept Bron because he was the “enemy” for so long. This generation of Laker fans defended Kobe Bryant vehemently. Even when LeBron had passed Kobe as the best player in the game (what year that happened depends on the eye of the beholder), there was no better player than Kobe to the die-hard Laker devotees.
But everything in the last week felt like a passing of the torch. On Saturday night (which was, unfortunately, Kobe’s last night in this world), LeBron passed Kobe in the NBA all-time scoring list. LeBron did it in Philadelphia, where Kobe was born and spent his formative years. And later that night, Kobe Bryant’s last tweet ever… was to LeBron James.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
The next morning, Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter, Gianna, and 7 other individuals were gone.
It’s still hard right now. Without a doubt, Kobe Bryant had his faults. But in Los Angeles, he was practically a deity. If the city of Los Angeles were ever to have a name change, many people would choose to rename the city, Kobe. Not only was he a fabric of the sport of basketball but he was a huge part of L.A.’s identity. And he is no longer here.
As for LeBron, well, he isn’t Kobe. Both of them were the biggest names in the NBA… and two of the biggest names in the world, period. Many wanted to pit them against each other (it is quite strange that for 12 straight years, either LeBron and Kobe were in the NBA Finals… but NEVER against each other). But now LeBron is going to help carry on Kobe’s legacy in the same uniform he wore for two decades.
We will never get over this; we will continue to carry the pain and the realization that 9 lives were lost. But this ceremony and tribute helped us move forward, even if it’s just a tiny bit. LeBron will carry on Kobe’s legacy. Damian Lillard showed that, too, when he went for 48-9-10 in Portland‘s win over the Lakers. Hell, the fans are carrying that mentality now even though it wasn’t wholly appropriate to get angry in this situation since the players played right after what was practically a wake. For some, yes, it’s a sanctuary and people can get lost and distracted with their work. But everyone has a different way to grieve whether it’s getting distracted by work or getting away from everything.
This event did bring a lot of people together; sports has this remarkable way of doing that. But it’s sad that it took a horrific event for a lot of people to have these realizations. It’s easy to take things for granted. We have stupid arguments over a children’s game. One moment can change everything.
We will move forward. Kobe Bryant would want us to attack life with fervor and be great at everything we do. The Mamba Mentality as he called it. But he also showed in his last years what’s important in life. Family.
Let’s do our best to live. Let’s be awesome in whatever we want to do. And hug your loved ones a little tighter today.
Thank you, Kobe.
Here’s your scoreboard and play:
The Scoreboard
TOR 105 (35-14) @ DET 92 (17-33)
CHI 118 (19-32) @ BRK 133 (21-26)
DAL 121 (29-19) @ HOU 128 (30-18)
MEM 111 (24-25) @ NO 139 (20-29)
DEN 127 (34-15) @ MIL 115 (41-7)
OKC 111 (30-20) @ PHX 107 (20-28)
POR 127 (22-27) @ LAL 119 (36-11)
Watch This Play
Norman Powell with a powerful jam over Andre Drummond.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Toronto Raptors.)
Or is it a Powell-ful jam? I am so good at this.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
For the rest of the season, I will sign off with GG, which usually means “Good Game.” But we also know “Gigi” is Gianna Bryant’s nickname. This will be my tribute to her.