Lakers get championship rings with empty arena, full hearts
LeBron James displays his fourth championship ring.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers received their NBA championship rings Tuesday night in an empty arena that still felt filled with warmth from their families, friends and millions of fans worldwide.
As they adorned their fingers with the dazzlingly bright jewelry, the Lakers pledged to host a proper celebration for their 17th championship victory once everyone is able to attend.
Jeanie Buss, the owner of the Lakers, addressed the team’s fans directly: “We miss you greatly,” she expressed. “Our team feels your absence, but we are hopeful that we will reunite soon. And when that time comes, we will have something special to celebrate.”
Merely 72 days following the victory of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and their fellow players over the Miami Heat in the NBA bubble, the Lakers, after the briefest offseason in the history of the league, returned to claim their reward. Their coaches, executives, and the 11 players from the previous season’s championship team were presented with their rings at Staples Center in a short yet heartfelt ceremony prior to their regular season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The unveiling of the banner commemorating their 17th championship will be postponed until the fans can join them at Staples Center. The space where it will ultimately be displayed on the arena walls is currently taken by a black banner that reads: “STAY TUNED, LAKERS FAMILY.”
The ring ceremonies adhered to social distancing guidelines, which seemed perfectly fitting for the year 2020. Before the players approached a separate podium to collect their rings individually, brief but touching videos featuring their families were shown. The families of the Lakers’ players and coaches appeared in these videos.
Lakers get their championship rings before talking on the Clippers.
Davis was supported and applauded by his parents, who expressed their pride in his basketball achievements. Before claiming his ring and jubilantly raising four fingers in tribute to his four NBA titles with three different teams, James was congratulated virtually by his mother, uncles, and children.
General Manager Rob Pelinka honored Kobe Bryant by throwing up a 2 and 4 with his fingers when he put his ring on his right hand.
“Last year, you proved how much a group of talented individuals can achieve when they fully commit to being a team,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel to his players. “To our supportive fans, we eagerly anticipate the time when it will be safe enough for you to return to Staples Center and witness our performances live. We want to share these moments and celebrate our successes with you. We are grateful and we love you.”
Jason of Beverly Hills, the Lakers’ usual jeweler, crafted the rings, replicating his previous work for the 2009 and 2010 championship teams piloted by Bryant, Pau Gasol, and coach Phil Jackson.
During their first season together on the West Coast, James and Davis spearheaded a 16-5 postseason run in the NBA’s Florida bubble, leading the Lakers to the title. This marked James’ fourth championship and Davis’ first.
The Lakers openly expressed their disappointment at having to celebrate their whole offseason without the presence of their fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. They were denied the joy of a parade in downtown Los Angeles and there were no fans in the Staples stands to cheer them on in celebration of the franchise’s sixth championship since the downtown establishment’s 1999 opening.
“NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, acknowledged the unique circumstances, saying, “These are clearly extraordinary times, resulting in a ring ceremony without fans being quite different. We assure the Laker fans that we will make it up to them. We will host this ceremony again when the fans can be present in the building.”
Buss and Vogel also took the time to express their gratitude to the Lakers players who departed during the short offseason. These players include JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, JR Smith, Dion Waiters, Troy Daniels, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Buss stated, “Securing No. 17 ensures your eternal place in the Lakers’ legacy, just as you are eternally a part of ours.”
At least one member of the Miami Heat, Bradley, who declined an offer to join the Lakers in the bubble the previous summer due to family health issues and later signed with the Lakers’ NBA Finals rival in the offseason, was keen on witnessing the Lakers’ ring celebration.
Bradley mentioned that he would be viewing the ceremony via television. On Tuesday night, The Heat were in Orlando, gearing up for their opening game against the Magic on Wednesday.
Bradley mentioned on Tuesday that he had been texting Kyle Kuzma that morning. He shared that Kuzma was quite thrilled about the upcoming ceremony. Bradley also expressed his excitement for his teammates and acknowledged the considerable effort he had put into the team the previous year. He concluded by saying that it would be an everlasting memory for him.
It was unclear on Tuesday when Bradley, who has been sized for a ring, would receive the jewelry. The Heat are scheduled to visit the Lakers on Feb. 20, which could be a plausible time for Bradley to receive the ring.
