Lakers Nation should be proud of amazing tribute for Kobe Bryant and his daughter

Tustin girls basketball’s team displayed a saying of Kobe Bryant in each player’s locker room to honor the former Laker star in January. (Photo courtesy Tustin girls basketball, For OC Sports Zone)

We hope you had a chance to see the Celebration of Life for Laker legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at Staples Center on television Monday, or were fortunate to attend in person.

Inspirational is the best word to describe it. This was a heartwarming and fitting tribute to people we will always remember and who touched our lives, even if we didn’t know them. The Altobelli family, which was honored earlier this month at Angel Stadium, and others involved in the helicopter crash were appropriately honored as well at the beginning of the program and mentioned other times as well.

We can’t ever remember a public reaction to the death of any person than we experienced when Kobe Bryant died. For weeks high school basketball fans often expressed their thoughts about Kobe at games. Many are hurting and will be hurting for a long time.

We appreciate the coaches who shared their memories of Kobe and the impact he had on the game and on life.

Like you, we’re trying to process it all as we try to make the transition again to the games….. and honor their extraordinary legacies by also following our passions and inspiring others, just like they did every day.

We welcome your thoughts by Email: timburt@ocsportszone.com to share with our readers. Please include your name and the city you live in.

Lakers Nation should be proud.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com