Wayne Ellington understands what it’s like to hide pain and anger with a smile.
Four years ago, just after helping lead the Lakers to their first win of the season, Ellington learned as he was walking to his car that his father had been shot to death back home in Philadelphia. Less than two weeks later, following his father’s funeral, Ellington went back to work, playing basketball for a living.
Sunday, when he and Hassan Whiteside, Rodney McGruder, Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra visited with friends and family members of those slain in Parkland, site of last month’s horrific school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High that left 17 dead, the 30-year-old veteran said the feeling of loss came rushing back to him.