Kobe Bryant’s impact on the world was obvious – and the outpouring of love in the wake of his tragic death signals that the Mamba Mentality will live on. United Center honored Kobe and fans used sidewalk chalk to share feelings of sadness and gratitude:
Banners in the atrium saluted Kobe and the Michael Jordan statue glowed in purple Lakers light.
The Bulls played a video tribute before 24 seconds of silence for the lost legend.
The Bulls and Spurs took 8 and 24 second violations to begin the game, for Kobe’s #8 & #24:
Then, as Kobe would want it, it was back to the game of basketball. The Bulls own #8, Zach LaVine, started out cold. He scored only 4 points in the first half with one made bucket and two free throws. Coby White, Chandler Hutchison & especially Denzel Valentine kept the Bulls afloat – even during another 3rd quarter struggle that saw San Antonio take a double-digit lead.
The 4th quarter is Zach LaVine time…much as it was Kobe time. The Bulls’ star got it going with 14 fourth quarter points, including a pair of free throws with 2 seconds on the clock to give the Bulls a 2-point lead. Refs called a phantom foul on Kris Dunn to put DeMar DeRozan at the line with 0.2 left, but DeRozan clanked the second FT to give the Bulls a 1-pt win. I’ll take it. Clutch free throws by Zach, who’s never afraid of the moment. Reminds me of someone…
R.I.P Kobe…and his daughter.
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