There is no single event in modern NBA history that compares to the unexpected and untimely passing of Kobe Bryant in 2020. It’s one of those moments where everyone withing the NBA community remembers what they were doing when they heard the news.
Over five years have passed since that fateful January day, but there are always reminders of what the basketball world lost. The Los Angeles Lakers have done all they can and more to preserve Kobe’s legacy since. And owner Jeanie Buss still thinks about it, recently talking about how the organization handled the aftermath.
“When Kobe passed, we had a game the next day against the Clippers. And our oganization was in such shock, we couldnt’ function. We had to bring in grief counselors. What I couldn’t get over was how our fans, they didn’t know where to go, and so, they just went to the arena. Everybody needed to be together.”
Caesar Mendoza takes a snapshot of a mural of Kobe Bryant in an alley near Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
“It was like we were lost, it was so hard to comprehend. I mean it’s still hard to accept, five years later. It just really struck me what the team means to the fans. This is our strength, this is what brings everybody together under the Purple and Gold umbrella.”
LeBron James stepped up for the Lakers organization as the fanbase was reeling as well, which Jeanie Buss also highlighted when talking about the situation.
“LeBron addressed the crowd, he said, ‘I have big shoulders, let me carry you.’ Like climb onboard, we’re going to get through this together. For him to articulate all of what we were feeling and we needed to hear was beautiful.”
Kobe Bryant meant everything to the Lakers faithful, and nothing can truly quantify the grief that the organization and it’s fans feel about his loss. Even though time will pass and other stars will come and go, Bryant’s name will remain foremost on the list of Lakers legends.
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