Kobe Bryant will always be one of the most beloved players in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history, and Frank Vogel got a first-hand look at that on Sunday night. The coach said he was moved by the experience.
Bryant sat courtside for the Lakers’ 122-101 win over the Atlanta Hawks, and you can probably guess what type of reception he got when he was shown on the Staples Center video board.
Kobe gets the standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd! pic.twitter.com/35lnsT39Ax
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 18, 2019
That’s the reaction you would expect for a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and 18-time All-Star. Vogel was asked about it after the game, and he said it gave him chills.
“I got chills when the crowd started going nuts at his presence. He deserves it.” – Vogel said of Kobe
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) November 18, 2019
Several Lakers players were seen going up to Bryant during the game to exchange pleasantries with him, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Davis told reporters that Kobe sitting there can’t help but make him wonder if he will be able to accomplish the same thing with the Lakers that Bryant did.
“What he’s been able to do for this franchise, and to see him sitting courtside, just makes you think: Can you do the same thing?” Anthony Davis on @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/mXhR0QRwt7
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) November 18, 2019
Winning five titles is a long shot for anyone, but the Lakers are off to an 11-2 start and look like they could be the best team in the Western Conference. In fact, they have looked so impressive that Kobe recently said they would make his decision about whether or not to come out of retirement an easy one.
If LeBron and Davis can bring LA another title, they’ll be getting the same reception as Kobe when they return to the Staples Center after their playing careers end.
