Kobe still inspiring Lakers
LOS ANGELES – The game had not even started, and Lakers fans were already stirred up.
They usually reserve applause for when LeBron James throws down a dunk or when Anthony Davis blocks a shot. Just like when they witnessed his countless game winners and determination to play through injuries, the fans reacted that way for Kobe Bryant’s mere presence at Staples Center before L.A.’s 122-101 win over the Hawks on Sunday.
“I got chills when the crowd started going nuts,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.
So did the Lakers and the 18,977 fans when Bryant walked on the court with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
The Lakers have become used to Hollywood celebrities attending their games. James has played before former President Barack Obama, former NBA star Michael Jordan and even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But Bryant’s presence meant something more.
“How could you not be? That’s one of
the greatest players to ever play this game, take time out of his day on a Sunday,” James said. “He’s got one of the greatest female players that’s about to come up sitting next to him in Gigi. So I’m just trying to put on a show for him and give him a reason to think, ‘OK, we might come to another game.’ ”
Bryant attended one Lakers game last season. Otherwise, he’s kept a respectful distance since retiring after the 2015-16 season. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has often expressed hope that Bryant will take any role he wants in the team’s organization, but he has channeled his energy into his self-named company that specializes in books and digital storytelling.
Bryant respectfully declined to talk to reporters, but he conversed with everyone who approached him.
Before Bryant walked to his courtside seat, he caught Lakers center Dwight Howard by surprise.
“I didn’t even know who it was. He slapped me on the neck, and I was about to elbow him,” Howard joked. He shook hands with Howard and said, “What’s up, man. You’re playing good.”
Bryant offered similar encouraging words to James shortly after the game began. In between a Hawks foul shot midway through the first quarter, James darted across the court toward Bryant. They shook hands and smiled at each other. On the next play, James sank a 3-pointer.
The nature of James’ relationship with Bryant has evolved during James’ 17-year NBA career.
First, James admired him from afar as a high school phenom from Akron, Ohio, eager to follow Bryant’s footsteps in the NBA.
Then, James and Bryant became respected rivals who never met in the NBA Finals.
Then once he joined the Lakers last summer, James said Bryant “welcomed me with open arms.”
“It’s just dope,” James said. “It’s just so surreal for me, just a kid from Akron, to be able to have a guy like Kobe just take time out of his day. Even at this point in my career, it’s still special.”
Bryant mentored Davis since teaming up on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in
London. So when Davis made a turnaround jumper, Bryant yelled encouraging words to him. Davis said: “I took that from you.”
Bryant has given Lakers third-year forward Kyle Kuzma just as much advice ever since the team drafted him at No. 27 two months following Bryant’s retirement. Since then, Kuzma estimated that Bryant visits him a few times a year, which has included house visits, dinners and phone chats.
“Any time I need something,” Kuzma said, “he’s right there for me.”
Bryant’s relationship with Howard has warmed since he has revitalized his career. When they played together in the 2012-13 season, Bryant and Howard clashed endlessly over personality differences and roles. Howard left for Houston as a free agent partly because of concerns about Bryant’s presence and his ability to overcome a surgically repaired left Achilles tendon.
“It doesn’t matter. That’s the past,” Howard said. “This is a new age and new day. We’re all about positive vibes.”
That is because Bryant’s presence Sunday only reminded them of their glorious past and reinforced the team’s aspirations to win the franchise’s first title since Bryant won his fifth in 2010. So when the arena videoboard plugged his newest children’s novel during a timeout midway through the second quarter, Lakers fans cheered as if Bryant scored. When the videoboard showed Bryant, the noise increased. Bryant clapped, put a hand over his heart and stood. He waved and thanked them for their support.
“He deserves it. One of the greatest Lakers of all time and one of the greatest players of all time,” Vogel said. “We’re very lucky to have him here in attendance, and (he) definitely energized the crowd and our team.”
“It’s just dope. It’s just so surreal for me, just a kid from Akron, to be able to have a guy like Kobe just take time out of his day. Even at this point in my career, it’s still special.” LeBron James