What’s happening in Los Angeles right now is truly tragic. We can’t comprehend and put into words the devastation these wildfires have caused. Of course, it’s bigger than basketball, and that’s where all our attention should be focused.
With that being said, sometimes in times of heartbreak and healing, we need to celebrate life to feel human again.
“A lot of the landmarks, a couple of the middle schools I went to, those are all gone now. Tonight I’m going to enjoy it, but with a heavy heart because so many people lost so many things.”
Lakers legend Michael Cooper lamented the loss of many landmarks in LA last night during his Lakers jersey retirement ceremony. Many have lost their homes, such as coach J.J. Redick among countless others, and people have even lost their lives—all while brave firefighters and even prison inmates try to extinguish the flames.
“It’s kind of a happy-sad moment for me,” Coop continued from half-court during half-time of the Lake Show’s game with the San Antonio Spurs. Also urging everyone in attendance and those watching at home to donate clothes, canned goods and whatever they can to the Red Cross.
Back in the ’80s, NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar lost his Hollywood home to a fire, also losing his precious jazz record collection. Vinyl by vinyl, many Laker fans tried to rebuild Cap’s collection, piece by piece. The previously aloof and standoffish big man then realized how much the fans cared. It was another way this city came together in times of hardship.
L.A. Strong.
Yet who else could be honoured in downtown Los Angeles last night than an actual Angelino? Laker lifer Michael Cooper was a true teammate, although he also played for Virtus Roma in Europe for a year.
That’s why Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Byron Scott, Norm Nixon, Kurt Rambis, Vlade Divac, and Coach Pat Riley (probably glad to get away from all the Jimmy Butler drama in Miami) were all on hand to give him one.
The latest Laker jersey to be retired, and the first since Pau Gasol’s sweet sixteen, found a fitting and perfect place between Magic’s number 32 and “Big Game” James Worthy’s 42—just like a Coop-a-loop play or his brother on the bench.
Earvin Johnson, serving as emcee for M.C., let us know that the running and dunking swingman was also a “Defensive Player of the Year” as a sixth man.
Giving it up for 32, 42, and the smooth silk of Wilkes’ 52, number 21 also thanked Larry Bird with a tongue in his “Beat Boston” cheek. Cooper, decked out in a beautiful black leather Lakers jacket, also remarked that this moment meant more to him than being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The five-time NBA champion and two-time WNBA champion, as a coach for the Los Angeles Sparks in the same stadium, gave it up for his family and basketball brotherhood. A glue guy who sealed history on the hardwood. The Lakers wouldn’t be wearing those rings if it weren’t for Mike.
The 3-and-D specialist may never have been an All-Star, but who cares when the Magic man calls this H.O.F. talent one of the greatest to ever play the game?
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Cooper almost a decade ago at a Lakers game. He playfully made me and everyone else in line for his autograph dance. When he went above the rim as a player, everyone got out of their seats too.
The Lakers may have blown their 84–74 lead over the San Antonio Spurs and lost 126–102 to a victorious windmill dunk by Victor Wembanyama, but this night was for number 21. So let’s hear it for him one more time.
“Coooooooop!”
