Authors Viewpoint

What is the author's purpose?

What is the author's viewpoint?

"In a ritual likely to be repeated in arenas for the next 4 1/2 months, Bryant warmed up for Sunday's game amid even more than the usual swarm of camera phones and flashes surrounding the court."

What word can best replace the word swarm?

"On the afternoon of January 26, I was at the Indiana men's basketball game when a chorus of cellphones in the crowd pinged, alerting them to the news of Kobe Bryant's death. I was astonished at how quickly fans' attention switched from the game to utter shock and disbelief at the news of Bryant's passing."

What is the meaning of the word astonished?

"He was serenaded with cheers throughout the struggling Lakers' 107-103 loss to Indiana, beginning his farewell tour through the league with a clear mind and a burgeoning curiosity about his next chapter."

What would be a antonym of the word serenade?