It was a whirlwind day for Houston Rockets veterans Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and P.J. Tucker, who arrived at Toyota Center only an hour before tip-off of Monday night’s home game versus New York.
The unusual travel schedule is because they all attended the memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles for Kobe Bryant.
Both Kobe and his daughter Gianna passed away in late January, along with seven others, as part of a tragic helicopter crash.
From there, the players immediately hopped on a flight back to Houston and made it back just in time to play. In a recap of his day, Tucker said:
It meant everything. For me, it was a no-brainer. We had a chance to actually be there. One of the best memorials I’ve ever been to.
It was amazing all the love, and the outpouring from the fans. Everything around the whole event was amazing.
It was super emotional for everybody in there. To see how strong his family was, to see literally everybody from all walks of his life being there, it was amazing.
Having just arrived back in Houston, #Rockets veteran P.J. Tucker describes his experience today in Los Angeles attending the Kobe Bryant memorial service:
“It meant everything. For me, it was a no-brainer [to be there]. One of the best memorials I’ve ever been to.” pic.twitter.com/Lmx9pEo7Cm
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 25, 2020
Speaking after a Jan. 26 game just hours after Bryant’s shocking death, Tucker had called it one of the toughest days of his life.
PJ Tucker on the passing of Kobe Bryant: "Today's one of the toughest days of my life..Kobe meant so much to the game, period..Some of the simple conversations I'll remember for the rest of my my life..He's part of the reason I'm in this place where I am now, to do what I am now" pic.twitter.com/5dn07mZJAs
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 27, 2020
During his legendary 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion; an 18-time All-Star; a two-time Olympic gold medalist; and an MVP, among his numerous accolades.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three other daughters. He was 41 years old at the time of his death.
[lawrence-related id=25557,22984]
Fresh off the plane from Los Angeles (where he was at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service), P.J. Tucker has arrived at Toyota Center in time for tonight’s #Rockets game. #OneMission pic.twitter.com/4qxL2VhhOa
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) February 24, 2020