The loss of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant continues to resonate across the NBA, nearly a week after his death, with the Lakers’ Jared Dudley indicating that it could take the Lakers team an entire year to get over the stunning tragedy.
Dudley offered his remarks after the Lakers’ first game since Bryant’s death, a 127-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Staples Center.
“It’s going to take a while,” Lakers veteran Jared Dudley said of how long the Lakers will need to get over this. “It is not just a one game, two game, or two or three weeks. And maybe it’s next year.”
The immediate impact of the death of Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people, was painful enough for the Lakers to postpone their game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In their game against the Trail Blazers, the Lakers held a 62-60 halftime lead.
However, a third-quarter breakdown on defense resulted in the Lakers giving up 43 points to put them behind by seven, a deficit they were unable to make up.
The loss dropped the Lakers’ season record to 36-11, which remains the top mark in the NBA’s Western Conference.
Despite the defeat, the Lakers remain strong contenders to make an extended playoff run, but in the weeks ahead, how they adapt to their painful new reality will be watched closely by all basketball fans.
The Lakers have no time to dissect Friday night’s loss with a Saturday night contest in Sacramento next on the schedule.
