Name: Lakers honor Kobe Bryant with new title rings 'worth over $150,000'
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Lakers honor Kobe Bryant with new title rings 'worth over $150,000'

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&nbsp;Tuesday, Sep 13th 2022| 150The Los Angeles Lakers honored past team legends - including the late Kobe Bryant - and gave a nod to their time in the Orlando bubble with what are believed to be the most valuable championship rings in league history.&nbsp;Just 72 days after their NBA Finals victory over the Miami Heat at Disney World,&nbsp; LeBron James, Anthony Davis and their teammates received their 2019-20 title souvenirs prior to Tuesday night's season-opening loss to the Clippers at an empty Staples Center in Los Angeles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite facing a quick turnaround with the shortest offseason in NBA history, the designer, well-known jeweler Jason Arasheben, still managed to include 804 stones on each ring:&nbsp;15.50 carats of white and yellow diamonds and another .95 carats of amethyst, referencing the 95 days the team spent in the Orlando bubble.&nbsp;The ring also has a detachable face, under which there are engravings of each of the team's retired jerseys, including Bryant's No. 8 and No. 24.&nbsp; 'We created a removable top that exposes the rafters that are up in Staples Center with [jerseys of] all of the retired Laker greats, with a special emphasis put on Kobe's No. 8 and No. 24 jersey, and it's set on a snakeskin-texture background,' Arasheben told .Without giving a specific price tag, Arasheben said his design is worth more than last year's record-setting Toronto Raptors rings, which were estimated at $150,000 each.&nbsp;'This ring eclipses last year's NBA championship ring as the most valuable NBA championship ring in history with the most amount of diamond carat weight than any other ring in history,' Arasheben told ESPN. 'I mean, this ring, we really wanted to make a statement. It's been 10 years since the Lakers have won. We wanted to come out and really make a statement and really reward these players for a job well done.'&nbsp;&nbsp;Bryant died in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others along the southern California coast on January 26. &nbsp;&nbsp;James and Davis led the Lakers to the title in the NBA's Florida bubble during the first season of their West Coast partnership, making a 16-5 postseason run to James' fourth championship and Davis' first.But the Lakers made no secret of their disappointment at celebrating their entire offseason without fans, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. They didn't get a parade in downtown Los Angeles, and no fans were in the Staples stands to cheer in recognition of the franchise's sixth championship since the downtown building opened in 1999. 'These are obviously highly unusual times and a very different ring ceremony without fans,' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. 'To the Laker fans, we're going to make it up to you. We'll do this again when the fans are in the building.'And while they put the blindingly brilliant jewelry on their fingers, the Lakers promised to hold a real party for their 17th championship as soon as everyone can attend. 'I'm going to take a second to speak directly to Lakers fans: We miss you so much,' Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. 'The team misses you, but someday soon, we'll be together. And when we are together, we have something special to celebrate.'The raising of the banner honoring their 17th championship is going to wait until fans are in Staples Center to enjoy it with them. The spot where it will hang eventually on the arena walls is currently occupied by a black banner reading: 'STAY TUNED, LAKERS FAMILY.'The ring presentations observed social distancing measures that seemed totally appropriate for 2020. The families of the Lakers' players and coaches appeared in short, heartfelt videos of introduction before the players walked up to an individual podium to grab the rings by themselves.Davis was cheered on by his parents, who expressed their pride in all of his basketball accomplishments. James' mother, uncles and children virtually congratulated him before he claimed his ring and joyously held up four fingers in honor of his four NBA titles with three franchises.When general manager Rob Pelinka put his ring on his right hand, he threw up a 2 and 4 with his fingers in honor of Kobe Bryant. Pelinka, who played collegiately for the Michigan Wolverines, previously served as Bryant's agent.&nbsp;'You showed last year what a talented group of individuals can accomplish if they buy into being a team,' Lakers coach Frank Vogel told his players. 'To our fans, we cannot wait until it is safe enough for you guys to be back at Staples Center so we can perform in front of you and celebrate all this stuff with you guys. We thank you and we love you.' Buss and Vogel also made sure to thank the Lakers who moved on during the brief offseason: JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, JR Smith, Dion Waiters, Troy Daniels and DeMarcus Cousins.'Winning No. 17 means you are forever a part of the Lakers legacy, just as you are forever a part of ours,' Buss said.And at least one member of the Miami Heat - Bradley, who passed on joining the Lakers in the bubble last summer citing family health concerns and then signed with the Lakers' NBA Finals opponent in the offseason - was eager to see the Lakers' ring celebration.Bradley said he would be watching the ceremony on television. The Heat were in Orlando on Tuesday night, preparing for their opener their Wednesday against the Magic.'I was actually texting Kyle Kuzma this morning,' Bradley said Tuesday. 'He's pretty excited about the ceremony. I'm excited for those guys. ... There was a lot of work I put in last year with that team and it'll be a memory that I have forever.'Bradley has been sized for a ring, though wasn't clear Tuesday exactly when he would receive the jewelry. The Heat visit the Lakers on Feb. 20, which might be the logical time for Bradley to get the ring.Share what you thinkThe comments below have not been moderated.The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.We are no longer accepting comments on this article.Published by Associated Newspapers LtdPart of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday &amp; Metro Media Group&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Tuesday, Sep 13th 2022| 150The Los Angeles Lakers honored past team legends - including the late Kobe Bryant - and gave a nod to their time in the Orlando bubble with what are believed to be the most valuable championship rings in league history.&nbsp;Just 72 days after their NBA Finals victory over the Miami Heat at Disney World,&nbsp; LeBron James, Anthony Davis and their teammates received their 2019-20 title souvenirs prior to Tuesday night's season-opening loss to the Clippers at an empty Staples Center in Los Angeles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite facing a quick turnaround with...

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Lakers honor Kobe Bryant with new title rings 'worth over $150,000'

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