Celtics pushing back team flight to allow players to attend Kobe Bryant memorial

The Boston Celtics are showing some major respect to one of their biggest rivals of all-time.

Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe reported on Wednesday that the Celtics, who will be in Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Feb. 23, are delaying their team flight to allow players and staff to attend the Kobe Bryant memorial the next day. The memorial will be held at 10 AM on Feb. 24 at Staples Center, where the Celtics and Lakers are scheduled to play the day before at 12:30 PM.

Playing for the rival Lakers for his entire 20-year career and facing them in two separate NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, Bryant was very much a thorn in Boston’s side as a player. But this gesture further speaks to the unparalleled level of admiration Bryant commanded around the league and the world.

Many of the Celtics’ youngsters also idolized Bryant, and it only feels right for them to be able to attend his memorial service to pay their respects.