It’s been two and a half weeks since the tragic passing of NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who — along with seven others — perished in a helicopter crash on January 26. However, the passing of the larger than life superstar and his talented daughter still doesn’t seem real.
Perhaps it never will.
Not for his family. Not for the NBA family. Not for his legions of fans. Not for anybody.
However, though unfortunate, it is real and — after the Los Angeles Lakers legend and his daughter were laid to rest in a private funeral on Friday — an official memorial has been set for February 24. A date (2/24) that symbolizes both his and his daughter’s jersey numbers.
According to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the Boston Celtics have altered their travel plans in order to allow players and staff members to attend the service. The Celtics will play the Lakers on February 23.
“I knew we’d have a number of guys that might want to go to the memorial,” coach Brad Stevens said. “It’ll be completely up to them, but we wanted to give us that flexibility and that option. Staff and players will all be able to go if they want to.”
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was notably one of Kobe’s biggest fans; a lifelong one, in fact. Tatum would speak to Himmelsbach about his plans to attend the service, appearing grateful that the Celtics pushes back their flight.
“I’m really glad I’ll have an opportunity to go to the memorial,” Tatum said. “It’ll be nice to be there. I’m sure there will be a lot of people there showing their support, and I’m glad I can be one of them.”
Boston won’t play the Lakers (or the Clippers) again this season, once they take on the now LeBron James-led squad on the 23rd, so it will be the team’s last game in Staples Center for the rest of the season.
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