Kobe’s absence dominates
CHICAGO — These Hall of Fame announcements have always been a time of celebration and joy. There was plenty of those emotions Friday, but somberness was also cast over the ceremony because the headliner was Kobe Bryant.
The five-time champion was among eight players and coaches announced as finalists for the 2020 class, alongside two of his greatest basketball rivals in Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Bryant's announcement prompted tears on the stage from Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and emotional words from Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo.
“There's a void,” said Colangelo, tearing up while talking to reporters. “Obviously everyone feels the loss of Kobe.”
Bryant, Garnett and Duncan — along with Allen Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal — defined a decade in the NBA. But in terms of stardom, Bryant separated himself from all his peers. There was added sentimental value in honoring Bryant inside the United Center, the former home of Michael Jordan. Bryant idolized Jordan to the point of mimicking his moves and mannerisms, believing he can equal His Airness.
In the end, Bryant came pretty close.
Only about two weeks prior, Bryant, his daughter and several others died in a horrific California helicopter crash. It was, perhaps, the most jarring tragedy in American sports history. The All-Star game on Sunday is set up as a tribute to Bryant with a different format, with the fourth quarter being untimed and running commercial-free on TNT. The winner of the game has to hit a target score in the fourth quarter, which will be the cumulative points the leading team has entering the fourth plus 24,