New Lakers championship ring pays tribute to Kobe Bryant, team's 17 NBA titles

Defending champions Los Angeles Lakers opened NBA 2020-21 season with a game against LA Clippers on Tuesday (Wednesday IST). With two teams resuming ir rivalry, Lakers handed out ir championship rings ahead of season opener. ceremony had to be held without fans cheering for team at Staples Center as COVID-19 safety protocols do t allow fans at games.

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Kobe Bryant tribute: Lakers Championship ring handed out 

While Lakers weren’t able to celebrate with ir fans, franchise did ir best to make most out of event. Lakers players, coaches and staff members all received ir championship ring, which also houred late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed m, speaking about unusual times y are going through, which has brought upon “very different ring ceremony without fans”. “To Lakers fans, re are usually 20,000 people here, so we’ll make it up to you”.

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Clippers remained away from court, while Lakers decided against revealing ir 2019-20 championship banner. “We miss you so much,” said Lakers goverr Jeanie Buss while addressing ir fans. “ team misses you. But someday we’ll be toger”.

Buss ended up thanking players that departed during free ncy – Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Dion Waiters, JR Smith, DeMarcus Cousins and Troy Daniels). As Buss and Silver could t present rings due to COVID-19 precautions in place, boxes were arranged around centre court.

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Lakers Championship hoodie and or merchandise

rings, designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, have .95 carats of amethyst each – meant to hour ir 95 days at NBA bubble. rings houred Bryant, featuring a mamba snake behind players’ jersey number. It also includes a removable top which shows Lakers’ retired jerseys. 

Seventeen trophies are included to represent Lakers’ record-tying 17 titles. At ceremony, a pre-recorded mess from UCLA Health frontline workers was shown, along with messs from coach Frank Vogel and general manr Rob Pelinka’s family members.

Lakers have also released champion merchandise after ir title win. ir popular championship hoodie is sold at $69.9 in most stores, while a t-shirt goes for $34.99. A variety of caps and different styles of apparel are also available.

NBA championship ring cost estimated at $100,000

Per reports, ring weighs 16.45 carats, making it most expensive ring in NBA’s history. While exact price is unkwn, it is said to be over $100,000. Most recently, Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar auctioned five of his Lakers rings, which raked in $3 million.

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(Im credits: Los Angeles Lakers Instagram)