For the first time since the Sunday announcement of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, as well as that of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash, the Los Angeles Lakers returned to action Friday evening when visiting the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers had not played since last Saturday, when they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-91. They were originally scheduled to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, but the NBA has accepted the Lakers’ request to postpone the match.
In the Lakers’ previous game, LeBron James surpassed Bryant’s 33,643 point mark, ahead of the third best scorer in NBA history. He added 22 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists to his impressive tally, while teammate Anthony Davis provided no less than 37 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. In the other clan, Damian Lillard and Hassan Whiteside led the charge with 48 and 30 points respectively.
The Lakers learned of Bryant’s death on their return flight from Philadelphia. With the exception of James and Anthony Davis’s reactions on social media, the Lakers players began their mourning in silence.
LeBron, whose images crying at Los Angeles airport that afternoon went around the world, was still there during the national anthem, well sung by the Boyz II Men.
He stood firm by not creaking when speaking to a “real real family”, the “Lakers Nation”, to honor the man he considered to be a big brother, after having cited the names of the victims: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan.
“I know that at some point we will have a memorial for Kobe, but I see it as a celebration tonight. A celebration of 20 years of blood, sweat, tears, bruised body, countless hours, determination to be as tall as it could be,” LeBron said.
