Kobe's Championship Ring!

"Good evening, viewers! This is the 1998–1999 season opening game of the National Men's Professional Basketball League, jointly broadcast by NBC, TBS, TNT, ABC, and Turner Sports!" Magic Johnson's passionate voice rang out.

The new season had finally arrived! Not just the fans—everyone had waited far too long for this moment!

And for the new season, several television networks had actually joined forces to provide a joint broadcast for the very first game. It was an unprecedented spectacle!

Magic Johnson served as NBC's lead commentator, while each of the other networks provided one commentator!

"The Lakers will receive their championship rings on their home court!" Goodrich commented for TBS.

"I can't wait to watch Kobe play." Kenny Smith commented for TNT.

"Will the Lakers be stronger this season than they were last year? Will they become the greatest team in history?" David Thompson had switched to ABC that summer.

"Houston versus the Lakers! A gathering of stars! There are more Hall of Fame-level players in this game than you can count on one hand!" Dr. J had been bored these past few years, so he had joined Turner Sports as a full-time commentator!

This opening game, jointly broadcast by five networks and the first game aired nationwide, had at one point drawn more attention than Hornets versus Jazz!

"At this moment, I believe the people at the Great Western Forum have waited far, far too long," Magic Johnson said with deep emotion.

The players had not even come out yet, but the arena was already nearly a sea of purple and gold for this non-playoff game!

Yellow jerseys filled every corner!

"Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!"

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

"CHAMPION!"

Cries like these rose one after another!

"Do you hear that, Kobe? At this moment, Los Angeles belongs to you," Byron Scott