NBA Announces Major Tributes at All-Star Game for Kobe and Gianna Bryant
By Brendan Balsamo
After the tragic deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant on Sunday, NBA fans have been clamoring for some sort of tribute to the two in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. Well, fans got what they wanted (sort of) with the league's unique rule changes for the game, but there was still more to come.
On Friday, the NBA revealed that Team LeBron will be wearing No. 2 jerseys in honor of Gianna, and Team Giannis will be wearing No. 24 in honor of Kobe.
Team LeBron and Team Giannis will also wear jersey patches displaying nine stars, representing those who lost their lives in the crash. Rising Star players Friday will wear jersey patches featuring the Nos. 2 and 24 in the center surrounded by nine stars. https://t.co/JVDYb4j3E4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2020
The NBA All-Star game uniforms aren't the only ones being tweaked with a custom tribute.
Players in the Rising Stars game will also wear jerseys which will feature patches with the No. 2 and No. 24 on them, surrounded by nine stars in order to honor the individuals who lost their lives.
NBA says 2020 NBA All-Star Game will feature Team LeBron (James) wearing the No. 2 & Team Giannis (Antetokounmpo) wearing the No. 24 to honor the late Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna & their 7 friends & teammates who tragically passed away in last Sunday’s helicopter accident.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 31, 2020
The NBA is making the right call by paying respect to Bryant, Gigi and the seven other victims of this horrible tragedy. Hopefully these tributes will help fans and players alike through these difficult times.