Only the greatest of individuals can turn hatred into respect.
After 20 years of representing the Celtics’ greatest rivals, Kobe Bryant was honored by them during private ceremony before his final game in Boston on Wednesday.
The Celtics — represented by owner Steve Pagliuca, president Rich Gotham and general manager Danny Ainge — presented Bryant with a piece of the franchise’s original parquet floor.
Bryant has provided many memories among Boston’s sea of green, and he cites the Lakers’ loss in the 2008 NBA Finals as one of the turning points of his career.
“The (2008) loss led to the (2010) win,” Bryant said during Wednesday’s pregame press conference. “I say that in the most beautiful way possible. I don’t remember the loss as like a painful experience, I remember it as a beautiful moment because it helped me find the best version of myself and my teammates.
Danny Ainge, Rich Gotham and Steve Pagliuca presented @kobebryant with a piece of the parquet floor earlier today. pic.twitter.com/OF5DUk9n99
