Kobe Bryant describes Staples Center as ‘magical,’ wants to see the Olympics in Los Angeles

Similarly to how the Los Angeles Lakers have had issues recruiting free agents over the past several season, the city of Los Angeles has faced a few issues in attempting to land the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Depending on who you read or listen to, rumor’s had it Kobe Bryant wasn’t always the greatest salesman for the task with potential teammates, but that isn’t stopping him from trying to fill the arena he played in with stars from all over the world.

Bryant has plenty of reason to look back on his time at Staples Center fondly. Here are his thoughts on those times.

“There’s so many magical things that have taken place here at Staples Center that make it special to me,” Bryant said. “I think the building itself almost gives this stage-like feel, as if you’re performing, and it’s much, much different than other venues.

“Other venues just feel like a basketball game. Here, it doesn’t feel like a basketball game. It feels like you’re on Broadway performing.”

What’s interesting is a large part of why it felt so different playing in a Lakers game at Staples for Kobe was the lighting design they used compared to other teams across the NBA. On top of the history that’s obviously been made there, the boxing ring style lighting that spotlights the court is pretty cool to take in.

Here’s what he had to say about the city as a whole and how it would handle an event like the Olympics.

“Playing here is going to be an unbelievable,” Bryant said. Imagine everything converging into one place. What I love so much about L.A. is that it can be anything you want it to be. The versatility is amazing. The diversity of the people here is amazing. I don’t think there is any better place in the world to be.”

For full video, check out the tweet embedded below. I have to agree with Kobe. Los Angeles would make a very good destination for the Olympics, especially given all the improvements made not only in the downtown area, but in the greater surrounding area: