NBA Finals: Lakers pay tribute to Kobe Bryant after record-equalling victory

Star player Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeannie Buss paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after winning a record-equalling 17th NBA championship on Monday morning (Hong Kong time), their first since 2010.

Bryant was killed, along with eight others including his teenage daughter Gianna, in a helicopter crash in California in January and the legend’s death has cast a shadow over the season.

“We didn’t let him down,” Davis said. He had been a teammate of Bryant’s for Team USA during the 2012 London Olympics and has spoken of Bryant as a “big brother” figure in the past.

“Ever since the tragedy, all we wanted to do was do it for him and we didn’t let him down. It would have been great to do it in the last game in his jerseys but it made us even more aggressive, even more powerful on both ends of the floor to make sure we close it out tonight.

The Lakers had worn special edition “Black Mamba” jerseys – a reference to Bryant’s nickname – during some play-off games, including their game five loss to the Miami Heat. That was the first game they had been defeated in the jerseys.

“I know he’s looking down proud of us. I know Vanessa’s proud of us, the organisation’s proud of us. It means a lot to us. He was a big brother to all of us. We did this for him.”

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Buss, who took over the Lakers presidency in the 2013-14 season after her father Jerry died in 2013, paid her own tribute to a player who had spent 20 years at the franchise.

“Laker Nation, we have been through a heartbreaking tragedy with the loss of our beloved Kobe Bryant and Gianna. Let this trophy serve as a reminder of when we come together, believe in each other, incredible things can happen.”

The Lakers had said “1-2-3 Mamba” after they left their huddles during the play-offs, including this decisive game six win.

“We have a PHD in adversity. I’m so proud of this team,” coach Frank Vogel said.