The Los Angeles Lakers faced a daunting emotional task on Friday as they returned to NBA action while honoring the memory of franchise icon Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers were hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center arena in their first game since Bryant -- who won five NBA titles in a 20-year Lakers career -- died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna and two of her Mamba Academy basketball teammates were also among the nine people killed.
"It feels like the game is secondary," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts admitted Friday morning as his team warmed up at Staples Center.
"Tonight's about Kobe Bryant." The Trail Blazers said Carmelo Anthony didn't travel with the team for personal reasons.
Anthony and Bryant became close when they played together on gold medal-winning US Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012 Anthony saying earlier this week that their friendship "was deeper than basketball."
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