It’s impossible to tell the story of the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers without discussing the importance of Kobe Bryant. The team was constructed by his former agent and one of his closest friends, Rob Pelinka, and Bryant’s death had a profound impact on the Lakers, more than any other team in the NBA. And last night they had one of the biggest playoff moments since the days of Bryant when Davis hit a game-winning 3-pointer in Sunday night’s Game 2 victory to put the Lakers up 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals while wearing special “Black Mamba” jerseys. After the shot, Davis yelled out “KOBE.”
Anthony Davis confirmed that he yelled “KOBE!” after drilling the game winning shot. pic.twitter.com/6b8N5Z9J7c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 21, 2020
Davis discussed in greater detail what the shot, the jerseys, and Kobe meant to him, according to Matt Peralta of Lakers Nation.
“He’s hit countless shots like that to win games, whether it’s in the playoffs, Finals,” Davis said.
“But it was a special one for me. Special one for my teammates. I told ‘Bron, in L.A., right before the hiatus against the Brooklyn Nets, same spot, slightly different play and I missed a shot. I was upset with myself. And he said, ‘Man, we’re going to live or die with you shooting that shot.’
“I got same opportunity tonight. Ready to make it. Special moment for me. Special moment for the team. Especially in a situation like trying to go up 2-0 against a special team who are great competitors and going to fight for the entire 48 minutes. To do something like that, and with the jersey we wore tonight, it just makes it even more special.”
The Lakers have talked almost ever since they arrived at the NBA Restart. Frank Vogel has the Lakers break on “Mamba” after every game and every player from LeBron and Davis on down the line has emphasized the added desire delivering a championship for the Lakers would mean after the loss of Bryant.
