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THE ANGELS: The Los Angeles Lakers received their NBA championship rings on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Manila) in an empty stadium that was still filled with warmth from their families, friends, and millions of fans around the world. .
And while putting the dazzlingly shiny jewels on their fingers, the Lakers promised to throw a veritable 17th championship party as soon as everyone can attend.
“I’m going to take a second to speak directly to the Lakers fans – we miss them so much,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. “The team misses you, but someday soon, we will be together. And when we are together, we have something special to celebrate. “
Just 72 days after LeBron James, Anthony Davis and their teammates topped the Miami Heat in the NBA bubble, the Lakers returned from the shortest offseason in league history to get their reward. The coaches, executives and 11 players who returned from last season’s champion team received their rings at the Staples Center in a short and warm ceremony before their first regular-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The raising of the banner in honor of their 17th championship will wait until fans are at Staples Center to enjoy it with them. The spot where it will eventually hang on the arena walls is currently occupied by a black banner that reads, “Stay tuned, Lakers family.”
The ring performances looked at social distancing measures that seemed wholly appropriate for 2020. The families of the Lakers players and coaches appeared in short videos and introductory senses before the players stepped onto an individual podium to grab the rings for themselves. themselves.
Davis was encouraged by his parents, who expressed their pride in all his accomplishments in basketball. James’ mother, uncles and sons practically congratulated him before he claimed his ring and joyfully raised four fingers in honor of his four NBA titles with three franchises.
When GM Rob Pelinka put the ring on his right hand, he tossed a 2 and a 4 with his fingers in honor of Kobe Bryant.
“You showed last year what a talented group of people can accomplish if they commit to being a team,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel told his players. “For our fans, we can’t wait until it’s safe enough for you to be back at Staples Center so we can perform in front of you and celebrate all of this with you. We thank you and we love you ”.
Jason of Beverly Hills, the traditional jeweler for the Lakers, created the rings, just as he did for the 2009 and 2010 champion teams led by Bryant, Pau Gasol and coach Phil Jackson.
James and Davis led the Lakers to the NBA bubble title in Florida during their partnership’s first season on the West Coast, making a 16-5 postseason run to James ‘fourth championship and Davis’ first.
But the Lakers made no secret of their disappointment by celebrating their entire offseason without fans, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. They didn’t have a parade in downtown Los Angeles, and there were no fans in the Staples bleachers to cheer in recognition of the franchise’s sixth championship since the downtown building opened in 1999.
“Obviously these are very unusual times and a very different ring ceremony with no fans,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “For the Lakers fans, we are going to make it up to them. We will do this again when the fans are in the building. “
Buss and Vogel also made sure to thank the Lakers who kept going during the brief offseason: JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, JR Smith, Dion Waiters, Troy Daniels and DeMarcus Cousins.
“Winning 17th place means you will always be a part of the Lakers legacy, just as you will always be a part of ours,” Buss said.
And at least one member of the Miami Heat, Bradley, who stopped joining the Lakers in the bubble last summer citing family health concerns and then signed with the Lakers’ NBA Finals opponent in the offseason, was eager to see the Lakers ring celebration. .
Bradley said he would be watching the ceremony on television. The Heat were in Orlando Tuesday night, preparing for their first game Wednesday against the Magic.
“I was actually texting Kyle Kuzma this morning,” Bradley said Tuesday. “He is very excited about the ceremony. I’m excited for those guys. … I did a lot of work last year with that team and it will be a memory I will have forever ”.
Bradley is the size of a ring, although it was unclear on Tuesday exactly when she would receive the jewelry. The Heat will visit the Lakers on February 20, which could be the logical moment for Bradley to get the ring.
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