Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made sure he didn't forget his late friend Kobe Bryant during the team's championship ring ceremony at Staples Center on Tuesday. Right before the Lakers' opening night tip-off against the Los Angeles Clippers, the reigning champions received some well-deserved jewelry for winning the 2020 Larry O'Brien trophy.
Pelinka also got a ring of his own for his front office contributions to the Purple and Gold. Upon receiving the ring, the 51-year-old team executive flashed the numbers 2 and 4 using his fingers, a clear ode to the Black Mamba's jersey no.24 back in his playing days with the Lakers (h/t SB Nation on Twitter):
Before assuming the role as GM and vice president of basketball operations for the Lakers, Pelinka rose to prominence as Kobe Bryant's esteemed player agent during his NBA career. That professional relationship blossomed into a personal one, as Pelinka became a close friend of the Bryant household, and was even a godfather to Kobe's second daughter Gianna. Sadly, Gianna also perished along with his father in that harrowing helicopter crash in Calabasas last January.
Bryant, meanwhile, even vouched for Pelinka when the Lakers were trying to fill in that executive position back in 2017. Pelinka was a lawyer by profession and had no prior experience handling an NBA franchise before his designation. After a rocky start with the team in his first two years, Pelinka's signing has indeed paid dividends for the storied franchise.
Pelinka has also received some major props this offseason for his effort in further improving the defending champs' roster. While Kobe is no longer with us physically, he would have definitely rejoiced with the Lakers' current direction, especially with his good pal calling the shots in the front office.