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Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant Gets Pregame Tribute From Former Top Five NBA Draft Pick

The Detroit Pistons' young core took a huge step forward on Friday with a 133-122 win over the first place Cleveland Cavaliers that had Pistons fans talking.

The Pistons were able to get the job done despite Cade Cunningham's ongoing struggles with a left calf contusion injury that kept him out of the Pistons' lineup yet again.

Prior to the game, a Detroit Pistons reporter noticed something interesting about rookie number five overall draft pick Ron Holland that provided a window into the athletic rookie's thought process as a player.

Holland honored Kobe Bryant in a unique way prior to the game with his choice of uniform accessory.

"Ron Holland II showing off a pair of Kobe's I had to show y'all," Pistons reporter Hunter Patterson wrote in an X post.

"He has a nice Kobe collection but this is my first time seeing him in these."

Ron Holland II showing off a pair of Kobe's I had to show y'all. He has a nice Kobe collection but this is my first time seeing him in these: pic.twitter.com/yafd1E7qe2

— Hunter Patterson (@HuntPatterson_) March 28, 2025

Holland II is averaging 6.6 points and 2.7 rebounds this season while shooting nearly 48% from the field, a promising development for the fifth overall pick from last year's NBA draft.

The Pistons famously beat Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in five games during the 2004 NBA Finals with Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson leading the Lakers franchise along with Gary Payton and Karl Malone.

Related: JB Bickerstaff Updates Cade Cunningham Injury Situation After Pistons Win Over Cavaliers

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This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM.

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