NBA All-Star teams will wear Kobe and Gianna Bryant's numbers, 9-star patches for victims of crash
The NBA is still in the process of responding and paying tribute to Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven others who died Sunday in a tragic helicopter crash. With the All-Star Game just two weeks away, the NBA has found a beautiful way to honor both Bryants and everyone who was lost.
The NBA announced on Friday that the All-Star uniforms will directly pay tribute to the tragedy. LeBron James’ All-Star team will all wear Gianna’s No. 2, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team will wear Kobe’s No. 24.
Every All-Star Game jersey will also have a patch with nine stars to honor all nine people who died in the crash. The jerseys for the skills challenge, the 3-point challenge, and the dunk challenge will also have a patch, but it will be slightly different. That patch will have the Nos. 2 and 24 in the center surrounded by nine stars.
The NBA announced several changes to the All-Star Game format on Thursday, which included a nod to Bryant. Each of the first three quarters will feature a mini-game, with the score reset to 0-0 at the start of the second and third quarters. The mini-game scores are then combined for each team in the fourth quarter, and they’ll play to a target score. That target? The highest team’s score plus 24 — Kobe’s number.
Adding a Kobe tribute to the actual All-Star Game format is lovely, and including the jersey numbers and patches is a touching gesture to make sure everyone involved in Sunday’s crash is remembered.
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