Lakers’ next game postponed after Bryant’s death

The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers’ next game against the Clippers on Jan. 28 after the deaths of retired superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.

The league announced the decision in a statement Jan. 27, saying it “was made out of respect for the Lakers organization.”

Bryant’s helicopter crashed Jan. 26, and the Lakers learned about it while flying home from an East Coast trip. LeBron James and several other players appeared to be visibly affected by the news when they got off the plane.

“The Los Angeles Lakers would like to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support and condolences,” the Lakers organization said in a statement after the postponement was announced. “This is a very difficult time for all of us.”

The 16-time NBA champion franchise made grief counselors available to employees Jan. 27 after the loss of Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers.

The next game on the Lakers’ schedule is Jan. 31 at home against Portland. according to WXMI-TV. His hiring was announced last week.

Berger was being interviewed Jan. 23 by The Lanthorn sports editor and was asked which three historical figures he would like to have dinner with.

“This is probably not going to get a good review, but I’m going to say Adolf Hitler,” he said.

“It was obviously very sad and he had bad motives, but the way he was able to lead was secondto-none. How he rallied a group and a following, I want to know how he did that. Bad intentions of course, but you can’t deny he wasn’t a great leader.”

Berger also said he would like to meet President John F. Kennedy because of “his experience with the country and being that he was a good president and everything.” Christopher Columbus was his third choice due to “the ability to go on the journey he was on ... into the unknown,” Berger said.

Berger’s comments “as reported in The Lanthorn student newspaper do not reflect the values of Grand Valley State University,” the school said in a statement announcing the suspension.