“M-V-P!” “Ko-be!” “Gi-Gi!” The House that Kobe Built brimmed with love on Friday night. The Los Angeles Lakers returned to the Staples Center for their first game since Kobe Bryant ’s tragic passing on Sunday, January 26 with a touching tribute to him, his daughter and fellow victims. Ahead of playing the Portland Trail Blazers on court, the team led a moving celebration of the late Hall of Famer, celebrating his positive impact as an all-star athlete and father. From starry pre-game performances to a poignant speech by LeBron James, scroll to see all of the lovely highlights.
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Kobe and his daughter Gigi’s remembrance was palpable from the moment you entered the stadium. Staffers covered the courtside seats they occupied with flowers, Gigi's #2 Mamba jersey and Kobe's #24 jersey. Fans seats were decked out with a somber gift: the baller’s official #24 and #8 shirts.
As Vanessa wrote on social media: “There is no #24 without #2.”
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Usher opened the ceremony with a powerful rendition of Amazing Grace, between two yellow and purple floral arrangements of Kobe’s numbers.
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Accomplished cellist Ben Hong provided the accompaniment to Kobe’s video tribute.
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Still riding the wave of their gorgeous Alicia Keys-led Grammys tribute to Kobe, Boyz II Men took over center court with their spin on the Star-spangled Banner.
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LeBron James, Quinn Cook and more teammates were physically moved by the pre-game tribute, with the aforementioned pair in tears.
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LeBron James then moved the crowd to tears with an incredible speech, beginning by dropping a piece of paper to the ground and saying he was instead going to speak from the heart. “This is a celebration of the 20 years of the blood, the sweat, the tears, the broken-down body. The determination to be as great as he could be,” he said. “Tonight we celebrate the kid who came here at 18 years of age, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we’ve seen over the last three years.”
He concluded his sentiment by quoting Kobe’s farewell speech after the final game of his career. “In the words of Kobe Bryant, ‘Mamba out,’” James reiterated. “But in the words of us: ‘Not forgotten. Live on brother.’” LeBron later flaunted his new “Black Mamba” tattoo in honor of Kobe.
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Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth performed their haunting hit See You Again during halftime.
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Every inch of the Stapes Center honored Kobe. The team even wore shirts under their jerseys that featured “KB” on them. While in the end, L.A. lost to Portland, the score isn’t what’s going to be remembered in history. Their remarkable tribute is what will make the history books.
