Los Angeles Lakers

For many in the NBA community, it can still be difficult to accept the fact that Kobe Bryant is gone more than two years removed from his tragic death. But it’s clear that the Lakers legend will never be forgotten.

Long before Kevin Durant told Nets owner Joe Tsai to either trade him or fire general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, there was an infamous battle between Lakers star Magic Johnson and coach Paul Westhead.

There is never a dull moment in Laker Land. After a disappointing season that ended with the team missing the Play-In Tournament, Los Angeles parted ways with coach Frank Vogel, who was less than two years removed from winning a championship.

HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” gives basketball fans a dramatized look at the inner workings of the birth of the “Showtime” era of the Lakers. The series also serves as a reminder that “Showtime” extended beyond the four lines on the floor, setting a precedent that other franchises would soon follow.

You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from a ton of NBA players around the league who wear Kobe Bryant’s Nike sneakers on-court. NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)