76ers pay tribute to Kobe in perfect way

Wells Fargo Center had a different feel to it Tuesday night, and for obvious reason. It was more than just a basketball game. It was the first professional sporting event in Philadelphia since the tragic death of one of its most successful sons, as well as his teenage daughter and seven more victims on that fatal helicopter crash.

Related: Remembering Kobe Bryant on 94WIP

The score was more competitive than you'd like it to be against a team with the worst record in the sport, but the Sixers still found a way to beat the Warriors 115-104, thanks in large part to Joel Embiid, who probably wouldn't be playing basketball if it wasn't for Kobe Bryant. Even though he was a Laker who beat the Sixers the last time they were in The Finals 19 years ago, there is a lot for Philadelphia to thank Bryant for, and Embiid is part of that in an indirect manner.

This game also featured Raul Neto acting like he's in a video game and Ben Simmons sitting an entire quarter.

Yup, definitely not your regular 48-minute basketball experience. However, the bottom line is the Sixers are 22-2 at home, compared to 9-15 on the road. There was happiness, as well as sadness, on the grounds of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex Tuesday evening.

Here are observations from win number 31.

Embiid Scores 24 Wearing Number 24

Embiid has said in the past that his life, coming from Cameroon to the United States after playing basketball for the first time ever this past decade, is like a movie. Part of that story was watching the 2010 NBA Final between Bryant's Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Los Angeles won the series in seven games, capturing Bryant's fifth NBA Championship.

"That was the turning point of my life," Embiid said. "Just watching the Finals and watching Kobe. After watching it, I just wanted to be like him. I just wanted to play basketball."

So, it's not over the top to say Bryant deserves a lot of credit for inspiring Embiid to start playing and begin an incredible journey that less than 10 years later led him to suiting up in Bryant's hometown.

Embiid reached out to and got permission from Sixers legend Bobby Jones, whose No. 24 is retired in the rafters, to wear 24 in this game alone to honor the late basketball icon.

"It was incredible," Embiid said. "He was forthcoming and I'm really grateful he let me have this opportunity to wear that number."

According to a tweet from the Sixers, Jones was glad Embiid made the call and told him that because Bryant was a 12-time all-defensive player and he was 11, to play hard defense with that number.

Fittingly on the night he honored Kobe, the 76ers 24th home game, Embiid scored 24 points and grabbed eight defensive rebounds. On the 24th point, he made a fadeaway shot and yelled "Kobe."

"A lot of us since I started playing basketball, that's how we've always done it," Embiid said. "You shoot something in the trash, and you just go 'Kobe.' That was cool. And for it to be the 24th point and me wearing 24 means a lot."

The big guy looked sharp and well conditioned for someone who missed nine straight games due to a torn ligament in his hand. Despite wearing a lot of tape, he healed quicker than just about everyone anticipated. He wanted to come back to help his team climb up the very close Eastern Conference standings, which the Sixers entered Tuesday night in sixth. To Embiid, that wasn't acceptable.

He took his competitive drive, something that personified Bryant for his entire career, and used it to lead the 76ers to victory.

Simmons Regresses

Simmons was unbelievable during the nine-game absence of Embiid. He was so good, Brett Brown emphasized pregame that it's a no-brainer that Simmons should be an All-Star Game reserve. 

However, to no surprise, Simmons personal performance appeared to take a step back with the return of Embiid. A constant topic of conversation amongst fans and media lately is whether Simmons and Embiid fit with one another. Tuesday would serve the case of those who believe they can't. 

Simmons got things going as the game went on, but finished with 17 points on four-of-11 from the floor and nine-of-10 form the foul line. He was the only Sixers starter to be in the negative of plus-minus.  

And, he sat the entire second quarter, but there was good reason for that. 

Neto Goes Off

Understandably, the energy to start the game was a little down on both sides because of the very emotional pregame tributes. 

It took a little bit for everyone to get in their normal groove, but something that helped that happen was the spark of Raul Neto, who played 15 consecutive minutes to close the first half, scoring all 19 of his points before halftime on seven-of-10 from the floor and three-of-five from behind the arc. 

Neto was so good, that Simmons suggested to leave the back-up in, hence the reason Simmons didn't play in the second quarter. 

"That's an interesting, selfless instruction," Brown said, "and so we did." 

Brown respected Simmons selflessness. It certainly helped the Sixers overcome a first half deficit. 

Honoring Lives Cut Short

The 76ers honored the late, great Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan before Tuesday's game.

For some players, like Simmons and Tobias Harris, it started well before pregame warmups when both players wrote heartfelt messages on their shoes to pay tribute to Kobe and Gigi.

Still can't, and don't want to believe it, but I know you both are up above cherishing all the love. ---------- #Kobe #GiGi #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/MhpZMwkykW

Ben Simmons with 8 and 24 and "Mamba Forever" on one shoe. "RIP Gigi" on the other. pic.twitter.com/LTFeU2sw65

Bryant's No. 33 from Lower Merion was painted on the sideline.

Lower Merion #33 in front of scorers table pic.twitter.com/DdOwOZ6kN7

During pregame warmups, every Sixers player wore either a customized Number 24 or 8 Kobe Bryant 76ers jersey.

Nine lights beamed on the court to symbolize the life of every victim. Public Address Announcer Matt Cord read their names. Nine bells rang for the 76ers ceremonial bell ringing after 33 seconds of silence. Then, a video of Bryant's final player introduction in Philadelphia during his 2015-16 Farewell Tour was played on the big screen.

Both teams gathered behind the ceremonial Liberty Bell, which was placed next to a frame jersey of Bryant's high school uniform, for the National Anthem—performed by saxophonist Mike Phillips. His impressive rendition included a very long holding of one of the final notes—31 seconds to my count.

There were no pregame introductions, hype videos or music as the game began. Once the players removed their warmup gear, Embiid revealed he was wearing Bryant's No. 24 instead of his usual No. 21. Everyone later saw that Zhaire Smith had No. 7 instead of 8, which he originally wore because of Bryant. Going forward, Smith will wear No. 5, which wasn't available Tuesday.

The Sixers won the tip and purposely committed an eight-second backcourt violation. The Warriors subsequently took a 24-second shot clock violation. Chants of "Kobe!" reigned down at Wells Fargo Center.

It was an emotional tribute from so many as the very sad passing of these nine people continues to be in the mind of several globally.