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Over the past few days, teams across the NBA have done tributes for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, both of whom were among the nine people killed in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday.
Some teams have made tribute videos, while others have made custom jerseys with Bryant’s name on the back. On top of that, every team but the Lakers, who haven’t played since Bryant’s death, has taken a 24-second shot clock violation and an eight-second violation to honor Bryant, who wore the numbers eight and 24 over the course of his illustrious 20-year career.
The Brooklyn Nets did their own tribute for Kobe and Gianna on Wednesday, leaving two courtside seats empty in remembrance of them, and the seats that were selected held some significance.
The Nets are keeping two courtside seats empty for the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter, “Gigi.” The seats held open tonight are the same ones Kobe and Gigi sat in the viral clip of Kobe coaching Gianna. pic.twitter.com/5NJuIeH1SB
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 30, 2020
The University of Connecticut did something similar for Gianna on Monday, leaving flowers and custom jersey on an empty seat for the 13-year-old, who had aspirations of playing for the esteemed basketball program at UConn.
Forever Gigi. @UConnWBB pic.twitter.com/z5gnJfISnU
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) January 27, 2020
Following the Nets’ win over the Pistons — a game in which Irving scored 20 points — the 27-year-old guard took a moment to remember his friend and mentor Kobe, and he paid his respects to Gianna, too.
I know he's now watching us, as well as Gigi ... I think the most beautiful thing is that it's connecting all of us."
— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2020
Kyrie Irving on the loss of his close friend Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/1GX0LRaxXG
Irving didn’t play in the Nets’ game on Sunday after learning of Bryant’s death.
Everyone’s going to heal at their own pace, but the hope is that player will eventually be able to honor Bryant by simply playing the game they love and obsessively try to get better at it every day like Bryant did for all 20 years of his career.
That’s the Mamba Mentality, and that’s how he’ll be remembered.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.