Lakers: Spurs Give Kobe Bryant Best Tribute Yet (Video)

Feb 6, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant (24) hugs San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich after the game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant (24) hugs San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich after the game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs unveiled the perfect video tribute to Kobe Bryat before their matchup with the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers traveled to the AT&T Center for a contest against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. Not only was it going to be a tough matchup as the Lakers tried to push their winning streak to three games, but it was also Kobe Bryant’s final game against a Spurs team with whom he has a long history with.

Kobe and the usual suspect for the Spurs such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and—of course—head coach Gregg Popovich, have been doing battle for over a decade. Subsequently, it was expected that their tribute to Kobe with his impending retirement would hit home.

The video tribute aired during player introductions undoubtedly did just that:

"Spurs intro ⤵ https://t.co/FdNFRiVu5i— Laker Facts (@LakerFacts) February 7, 2016"

Though there have been plenty of touching tributes and gestures to Bryant throughout his ongoing farewell tour throughout the rest of the NBA, this is unquestionably the best yet. Not only did the Spurs really strive to encapsulate Kobe’s entire career and what he’s meant to the league, but also didn’t shy away from the times over the years that Bryant has caused the Spurs heartbreak.

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Even better, there’s nothing more touching—in my humble opinion, at least—than when a normally stoic and closed-off personality opens up and lets a bit of emotion through. But that’s exactly what Pop does at the end of the video when he expresses sincere admiration for Kobe and all that the Lakers star has done throughout his career.

There are still plenty of tributes that will be made for Kobe over the rest of the season, including his farewell from the Lakers in his final game at STAPLES Center. Until then, though, this is probably the best tribute fans are going to see for the retiring legend.

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