The big first surprise of the Lakers' season, other than their 2-14 record, came in the form of pregame introductions in Philadelphia.
The notoriously fickle and ardently anti-Kobe Bryant crowd stood and made themselves heard.
They cheered. Loudly.
It was as unexpected as it gets, the hometown crowd showing its appreciation after typically booing Bryant whenever the Lakers visited the 76ers. There were even some "Ko-be, Ko-be" chants from fans, plenty of whom wore Lakers jerseys.
Bryant's farewell tour started Tuesday in a sense, the 76ers presenting him with a framed jersey from his high school, Lower Merion.