Kobe Bryant Honored at All-Star Game with Pre-Game Ceremony (Video)

Two video packages, a Magic Johnson intro, and Kobe Bryant speaking were used for Kobe’s All-Star Game tribute in the arena

Before the coverage of the 2016 NBA All-Star Game ever started focusing on what was happening in the arena, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was already getting tribute packages. However, that was only the half of what the NBA and the Air Canada Centre had in store for No. 24 in his final All-Star appearance.

Kobe first received a special player introduction with a little more show than the other 23 players in the contest, but that was just the start of it. After they showed one tribute to Kobe that chronicled his career, the Air Canada Centre then brought out Magic Johnson to introduce another video package that featured Kobe’s peers speaking about how much he meant to them and the NBA as a whole.

At the conclusion of that, Magic introduced Kobe who came out and gave a short, touching speech before the tip-off of the All-Star Game.

Watch the whole ceremony here:

There was never a doubt that the league was going to pay homage to Bryant in his final NBA All-Star Game, but they really pulled out all of the stops before the game ever started. The tributes before the game were all beautifully put together and really encapsulated Kobe’s impact on the league and bringing out a former Laker in Magic Johnson to help honor him was a wonderful touch as well.

There still could be more to come from the NBA to show their love to Kobe for his contributions over the years, but they already outdid themselves before the game even started.

H/T to r/NBA