Lakers honor Kobe at Staples
A large crowd of fans continued to gather outside Staples Center to express their grief over the death of Kobe Bryant before a Lakers game Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was the Lakers’ first game since Bryant, his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven others died Sunday in a helicopter crash.
The Lakers wore a “KB” patch on their jerseys while his retired No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys are emblazoned on the court. Fans on one side of the arena were wearing shirts with Bryant’s No. 8 while the other side had No. 24 jerseys.
The Lakers were asking fans who did not have a ticket to not linger around Staples Center and LA Live before and during the game. They also advised fans that the pregame ceremony would not be shown on the video screens outside the arena.
LeBron James revealed his new tattoo in memory of Kobe Bryant on Instagram.
The tattoo is mostly black, with the main image of a snake — a Black Mamba — entwined around the number 24 and the number 8, with a black rose on the upper left and lower right. Underneath, the caption in script is “Mamba 4 Life.”
Portland forward Carmelo Anthony, a close friend of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, did not play Friday for what the team is officially calling personal reasons.
“I respect [Anthony’s decision to sit out]. I know him and Kobe had a great relationship,” Blazers guard Damian Lillard told USA Today Sports. “It’s something he was not ready to face and deal with. We all respect his decision.”
Mavericks
Star guard Luka Doncic was ruled out for at least the next six games with a right ankle sprain, coach Rick Carlisle said. Doncic already was ruled out for a game Friday against Houston as he nurses the injury. He sprained the same ankle earlier this season before returning to practice 10 days later.
Bucks
Fans in attendance Friday night at Milwaukee’s game were not only treated to free Greek-themed T-shirts at the door, they also witnessed the first career start of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s older brother, Thanasis. Prior to Greek Night, “The Antetokounmbros” had only played a grand total of nine seconds together this season. Thanasis didn’t disappoint with a fastbreak jam in the opening minutes that brought the home crowd to its feet. He also finished an and-one layup from Giannis’ assist.