Watch Kobe Bryant honor Jerry Buss with a pregame speech [Video]

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Fans sign a poster in honor of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who died Monday at age 80, outside of Staples Center before a game against the Celtics on Wednesday night. (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Tarron Steward finds space above the photo of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss on which to write a message Wednesday night before the Lakers-Celtics game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers fans Mitchell Veintemilla, left, and Angel Delgado check their phones as they try to get tickets to the game against the Celtics on Wednesday night. They’re standing in front of a giant screen paying tribute to late Lakers owner Jerry Buss in Nokia Plaza. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Jeanie Buss, daughter of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss and executive vice president of business operations, and Dyan Cannon console each other before the game Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Jeanie Buss, Lakers executive vice president of business operations and daughter of longtime owner Jerry Buss, is consoled by a friend before the game against the Celtics on Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant honors longtime owner Jerry Buss with a few words before the game against the Celtics on Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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The seat where late Lakers owner Jerry Buss sat in his suite is illuminated during pregame ceremonies at Staples Center on Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers team members gather after a moment of silence in honor of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss on Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scores while drawing a foul from Celtics forward Jeff Green in the first half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Celtics forward Paul Pierce tries to block a shot by Lakers center Dwight Howard in the first half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Metta World Peace steals the ball from Celtics center Kevin Garnett in the first half Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers point guard Steve Nash makes a pass after driving into a wall of Celtics defenders in the first half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Earl Clark has his driving layup challenged by Celtics center Kevin Garnett in the first half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Celtics forward Jeff Green can’t stop Lakers forward Earl Clark from scoring on a dunk in the first half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scores on a tough shot over Celtics guard Jason Terry and next to power forward Chris Wilcox in the first half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to drive around a screen set by teammate Antawn Jamison on Celtics forward Jeff Green in the first half Wednesday night. (Frederick J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images)

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Lakers point guard Steve Nash tries to drive around Celtics guard Avery Bradley in the first half Wednesday night. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant fouls Celtics forward Paul Pierce during play in the first half Wednesday night. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant pulls up for a jumper against Celtics forward Jeff Green in the first half Wednesday night. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers center Dwight Howard attempts a shot over Celtics center Jason Collins in the first half Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers center Dwight Howard reacts after there was no foul called on Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) in the second half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant battles Celtics forward Jeff Green for a rebound in the second half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers center Dwight Howard drives to the basket against Celtics center Kevin Garnett in the second half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Celtics forward Paul Pierce loses control of the ball when trying to drive against Lakers guard Kobe Bryant on Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers point guard Steve Nash looks to pass after splitting the defense of Celtics center Fab Melo and forward Jeff Green in the second half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Celtics guard Jason Terry looks to pass after driving the baseline against Lakers forwards Metta World Peace and Earl Clark (6) in the second half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Celtics forward Paul Pierce draws a foul from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant on a drive down the lane in the second half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to drive away from Celtics guard Courtney Lee in the second half Wednesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

By Melissa Rohlin

Feb. 20, 2013 8:40 PM PT

The Lakers honored Jerry Buss with a tribute before their game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at Staples Center.

The Lakers’ longtime owner died Monday from kidney failure after a battle against an undisclosed type of cancer. He was 80.

The tribute began with a video montage of Buss photos, spanning from his childhood to his 10 championships with the Lakers in his more than three decades as the team’s owner.

After the video presentation, Bryant, who has known Buss since he was a teenager, walked to half court amid raucous appluase from the crowd and took the microphone.

“On Monday we lost what we all know to be the greatest owner in sports, ever,” Bryant said.

“He was a brilliant and incredible owner, but he was an even better person with a great heart.

“His vision has transcended the game and we are all, all, spoiled by his vision and by his drive to win year after year after year.

“Through our years being here at Staples Center, the one thing that we could always count on was the great Dr. Jerry Buss overlooking his franchise from his box. I’d like to ask all of you to please join us in a moment of silence to honor the great Dr. Jerry Buss.”

The jumbotron then showed Buss’ empty seat in his suite.

Shorly after that, Buss’ voice echoed through the sold-out arena.

“The real purpose of what I do was to try to have this city totally involved and identified with it,” Buss said. “I wanted that, when you think L.A., ‘Oh, wait, that’s where the Lakers play. Lakers. Lakers.’ That’s what I wanted.”

A memorial service for Buss will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Nokia Theatre. The ceremony is for invited guests only but it will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.

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