![]() ![]() "He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be. "What Kobe Bryant was to me, was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the way either I played the game, or the way that he wanted to play the game," Jordan said. He said he was grateful to be given the opportunity to "celebrate the gift that Kobe gave us all." Jordan gave a lengthy speech through tears and joked that he'll have to "look at another crying me" - referencing the famous crying Jordan meme. Smith that it was a very emotional day for James and that he spent the memorial "in his own space." Despite prompting, Paul did not clarify whether James was at Staples Center. His agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN's Stephen A. It was unclear whether current Lakers star LeBron James was also in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver joined Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson and dozens of current NBA players, including Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook. The crowd included Lakers greats such as Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Pau Gasol. 2 on her youth basketball teams. Money from ticket sales will be given to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports programs in underserved communities and teaches sports to girls and women. 24 as the date of the memorial in honor of the uniform numbers of Kobe and Gianna, who wore No. Symbolic meanings ran throughout the ceremony, which was held on a 24-foot-by-24-foot stage. "Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words. "He was the most amazing husband," she said. She then eulogized the man she had been with since 1999, saying they had planned to renew their vows and often talked about how they looked forward to becoming the "cool grandparents" after their kids have their own children. ![]() ![]() Vanessa predicted that Gianna could have become "the best player in the WNBA.'' She says her daughter loved basketball so much she even offered her school's boys' team advice. Vanessa said Gianna loved swimming, singing along with hit songs, baking cookies, and watching "Survivor'' and NBA games with her father. She had my fire, my personality and sarcasm. "Her smile was like sunshine," Vanessa said. The ceremony began with Beyonce performing her songs "XO" and "Halo."Īfter Jimmy Kimmel welcomed the crowd, Vanessa Bryant remembered the family's life with Gianna, describing her as a sweet, thoughtful soul who loved always kissing her mother good morning and goodnight. The service took place at the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career. "He had to bring them home to have them together. "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other," she said. Speaking at times through tears, Vanessa praised Kobe Bryant's devotion - calling him "the MVP of girl dads" - as she addressed the 20,0000 fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and Gianna, who was 13. LOS ANGELES - Vanessa Bryant offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a sold-out memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles. ![]() Vanessa Bryant leads emotional public memorial for Kobe, Gianna You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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