The loss of a beloved actor has hit hard across all spheres. Matthew Perry passed away in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023. Not only fans and Hollywood stars, but even the sports world is reeling with grief over his loss. The pop culture icon was a massive sports fan too. While his iconic character on FRIENDS was a true blooded New Yorker, Perry himself leaned more towards a West Coast team. Unlike his famous persona, the actor particularly enjoyed watching Shaquille O’Neal play with the Los Angeles Lakers in his prime.

Matthew Perry had seen Shaq and Kobe win their championships from courtside. After Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were killed in the helicopter crash, the actor’s grief was palpable in a question he asked on Twitter. “Why do bad things have to happen? Rip Kobe.” It’s a question we’re unfortunately asking now.

Matthew Perry’s hoops connections and Shaquille O’Neal fandom

Who could forget that Chandler Bing was obsessed with the New York Knicks. When FRIENDS was the hottest show to grace any television, the face of Chandler was not maintaining his loyalty to the Knicks. Joey would be sorely disappointed that Matthew Perry was a frequent present courtside at Los Angeles Lakers games. He was front and center watching Shaq and Kobe Bryant dominate the league.

In fact, Perry and Bruce Willis once discussed why they love the NBA in a 2004 promotions clip. The Playoffs were the most thrilling for him, due to the fast plays and foul shots. He also loved that “Shaquille O’Neal’s not small.” Some of that classic Chandler Bing sarcasm that we will sorely miss.

Notably, Matthew Perry didn’t just watch the best, he aspired for it. Growing up, Perry was into athletics. He was a nationally ranked tennis player but there’s no sport he tried half-hearted. Chandler would knock over a lamp with a basketball and face plant into the hardwood court, but Perry was not that slouch. Just look at 17 Again.

Zac Efron of course took more screentime with his basketball skills carried forward from his Disney era. But there are the snippets of Perry being that yesteryear teen heartthrob of the high school basketball game even decades later.

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Apart from Lakers games, he surprised fans when he was sitting beside Peter Gruber, the owner of the Golden State Warriors in 2013. The NBA then installed him in the league’s history through NBA Hangtime. Perry was a playable character in that ’90s video game.

Matthew Perry wasn’t just passionate about the game. He had formed connections with the players too. It showed in January 2020. Perry was on a social media hiatus for over two months. He however ended the break and resurfaced on Twitter to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant.

Three years later, the world would lose Matthew Perry as well. The latest reports suggest that the cause of death was drowning. While exact details are not yet available to the public, fans and sporting leagues across the country are sure to miss his unique presence.

Sports world mourns Matthew Perry

While the Lakers dynasty monopolized Matthew Perry’s love in the NBA, the Whole Nine Yards star enjoyed hockey. In fact, an NHL team paid tribute to the actor last night.

Perry grew up in Ottawa and therefore was solidly on the Senators side. But this didn’t deter the Nashville Predators from honoring his legacy during their latest game.

The Golden Globe nominee enjoyed the NFL most because of one person. Tom Brady, best friend to the likes of Charles Barkley and Shaq, was also a big Hollywood draw. Perry enjoyed his Patriots era the most. NFL pro, Robert Griffin, was among the first athletes to express his grief over Perry’s death.

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The sports world will miss this icon as much as any other. That will reflect when his favorite franchises honor his memory in one way or another.