Lakers coach Frank Vogel: “We want to represent what Kobe Bryant was about”

Frank Vogel said that the Los Angeles Lakers have become even closer as a team following their response to the passing of Kobe Bryant.

“It’s just strengthened what we’ve felt all year about our current group, which is we’ve become a family in a very short time. It’s something you talk about in the NBA with your teams, but this group in particular has really grown to love each other very rapidly. We understand the importance and the opportunity that we have this year, and this has just brought us closer together,” he said.

Vogel told his players to address the media only when they feel ready. He added that the team will continue to try and make Bryant proud: “We want to represent what Kobe was about more than anything. We’ve always wanted to make him proud. And that’s not going to be any different here”.

The Lakers will play the Blazers on Friday night, and Vogel said that getting back on the court will be therapeutic for his team: “Any time you can get out and take your mind off something like this, there’s no doubt it will be therapeutic and just help with the process of us moving forward.”