The Los Angeles Lakers received their NBA championship rings on Tuesday in an empty arena that was still filled with warmth from their families, friends and millions of fans worldwide.
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And while they put the blindingly brilliant jewellery on their fingers on Tuesday, the Lakers promised to hold a real party for their 17th championship as soon as everyone can attend.
"I'm going to take a second to speak directly to Lakers fans: We miss you so much," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. "The team misses you, but someday soon, we'll be together. And when we are together, we have something special to celebrate."
Just 72 days after LeBron James, Anthony Davis and their teammates finished off the Miami Heat in the NBA bubble, the Lakers returned from the shortest offseason in league history to get their reward.
The coaches, executives and 11 returning players from last season's championship team received their rings at Staples Centre in a brief, warm ceremony before their regular season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The raising of the banner honouring their 17th championship is going to wait until fans are in Staples Centre to enjoy it with them. The spot where it will hang eventually on the arena walls is currently occupied by a black banner reading: "STAY TUNED, LAKERS FAMILY."
The ring presentations observed social distancing measures that seemed totally appropriate for 2020. The families of the Lakers' players and coaches appeared in short, heartfelt videos of introduction before the players walked up to an individual podium to grab the rings by themselves.
Davis was cheered on by his parents, who expressed their pride in all of his basketball accomplishments. James' mother, uncles and children virtually congratulated him before he claimed his ring and joyously held up four fingers in honour of his four NBA titles with three franchises.
When general manager Rob Pelinka put his ring on his right hand, he threw up a 2 and 4 with his fingers in honour of Kobe Bryant.
"You showed last year what a talented group of individuals can accomplish if they buy into being a team," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told his players.
"To our fans, we cannot wait until it is safe enough for you guys to be back at Staples Centre so we can perform in front of you and celebrate all this stuff with you guys. We thank you and we love you."
Australian Associated Press
