While things were their hardest and most trying during the 100-plus days inside the NBA bubble, Rob Pelinka said he often heard Kobe Bryant’s voice in his head, telling him to “continue the course” and “get the job done.” “
After the Los Angeles Lakers returned to the top after winning the franchise’s 17th championship on Sunday night, Pelinka looked up at the roof during a post-game interview session and had an emotional thought about her best friend.
G.M., who serves as Lakers vice president of basketball operations and Bryant’s agent. Said, “When I took this job I remember him saying, ‘Hey, I know what you’ve done for me for 20 years.’ He said, ‘I’ll give you two, three years, you’ll fix this. Bring the Lakers back to the top. “
Looking up, Pelinka suffocated as she texted her longtime friend.
“I think you’re right, man,” Pelinka said. “You give me the power to do that.”
Vanessa Bryant posted a picture of Pelinka and Bryant on her Instagram story with the words, “Congratulations Uncle P! Congratulations @ l .Curs Kobe was right, RP! ‘
“Wish Kobe and Gigi came here to see this.”
From top to bottom, the Lakers franchise was devastated when Bryant and his daughter, Ginna, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles in January. But few, if any, were as close to the Bryant family as Pelinka. Palinka had her daily conversations with Bryant, her best friend, and he was Gianna’s godfather.
He described losing them as “dismembering part of my soul.”
“2020 has been a tragic and very difficult year in many ways, which happened on January 26,” Pelenka said. “And I think Kobe and Gianna have guided this team all year. Kobe’s voice is always in my head, always, every day, every minute. And I think – for LeBron. [James], Anthony [Davis], Coach [Frank] Vogel, for myself and Ginny [Buss], For us the sting of the loss of being able to win this championship does not go away, but what he does helps us add to his legacy. “
Pelinka joined the Lakers in 2017 with Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations. The two signed James as a free agent in 2018. But in April 2019, Jones shocked the franchise, later saying he was tired of “backstabbing” by Pelinka.
Pelinka took a lot of heat before trading for Davis in June 2019. But he never responded to any of Johnson’s allegations and eventually he and Johnson remained in constant contact. Pelinka called Johnson after the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win the championship on Sunday in the vista of Lake Buena, Florida.
“I’m still so grateful for the two asons Tuo got to work with Irwin,” Pelinka said. “And he’s definitely a part of tonight’s vision and working side by side. He’s an incredible guy, and we have a great, amazing relationship. He was one of the first calls tonight. Talked a lot with him.” Was. “
“But I think what I’ve learned in life is difficult times or trials when you grow up, and you turn to your faith, you turn to your family, your loved ones and anything else, I think everyone inside this lesson knows That you just stay about work. “
Johnson tweeted: “After winning the Labor NBA Championship, Rob Pelinka really made me feel like delivering tonight. It means the world to me because I know he’s in the middle of celebrating with all the Lakers’ players, coaches and Ginny Bush!” “
“It’s hard for me to take any personal credit,” Pelinka said.
“There are a lot of amazing people,” Pelinka said. “From Ginny at the top, from Frank Vogel to everyone else in the basketball department, to our captains. I’m grateful to be on this trip and really, my work is mostly done for others. I’m excited about it. Ginny’s success, LeBron’s success, Anthony The success of Davis, of Frank Vogels.
“I don’t want to work for myself, so it’s hard for me to get bogged down in personal beliefs. This is not the thing that really draws me in. He’s doing a better job of helping other people succeed and that’s what I was able to do.” I was introduced to other players. And to be able to do that here, it’s just that it fuels me and gives me strength. “
Pelinka Davis will be out of her contract and will be engaged in this becoming fiction when she becomes a free agent. James, who has two years left on his deal, is eligible for an extension. Markiff Morris, Jared Dudley, Dwight Howard and Dion Waiters are free agents. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports that Cantavius Cuddwell-Pop, Avery Bradley, Jawale McGee and Rajon Rondo have a player option for 2020-21.
For now, Pelinka will be happy to help the Lakers win another championship after going through an incredibly difficult time, nothing more heartbreaking than losing Kobe and Ginna.
“It’s often difficult to come here to my hotel room when you’re in a bubble for a hundred days,” Pelinka said. “There was a time in the middle of the night when I would hear him say, ‘Stay the course. Get the job done.’ A friend who changed my life, and helped me understand what greatness is and what sacrifice is all about, there aren’t many great gifts. Now being able to share this moment, knowing that he and Gianna are looking down from heaven, And I know he’s a proud friend – I know he is. “
“Kobe and Ginna’s legacy will last forever,” Pelinka added. “It will positively impact lives around the world, and this championship and this Lakers Championship is partly for the development of the legacy and for honoring them, and for us to be able to do it, the moment cannot be more. “
The report uses ESPN’s Dev Mumk anonymous name.
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