OAKLAND, Calif. _ Normally the moment calls for a film session. Perhaps a speech. Maybe adding a wrinkle in the playbook.
When the Warriors (23-6) play the Los Angeles Lakers (10-17) on Monday, though, Golden State coach Steve Kerr has a different plan on how to spend halftime. He wants his players to watch Kobe Bryant's jersey retirement halftime ceremony that will entail both his No. 8 and No. 24 going up into the Staples Center rafters.
That is assuming the Lakers will approve the Warriors sitting on their bench, so Kerr jokingly asked reporters to relay the message to the Lakers. Lakers president Jeanie Buss quickly provided approval in 140 characters.
"Of course they are invited! We expected they would want to pay their respects to one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA," Buss tweeted.
Kerr's reasoning mirrored what Buss said.
"Just the experience in seeing one of the greatest players in the history of the game getting his jersey retired and we happen to be there," Kerr said. "I'm not going to keep them in the locker room to watch tape of the first half. The players would look at me like I was nuts. There's something interesting going on ... . Let's go out there."
