‘He Was My Everything’: NBA’s Kobe Bryant Mourned at Los Angeles Arena

Reuters
By Reuters
February 24, 2020US News
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‘He Was My Everything’: NBA’s Kobe Bryant Mourned at Los Angeles Arena
Vanessa Bryant speaks during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna in Los Angeles, on Feb. 24, 2020. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES—A gallery of basketball legends joined thousands of Kobe Bryant fans in Los Angeles on Feb. 24 to pay homage to the transcendent NBA star, his daughter and seven others who died last month in a helicopter crash that sent shockwaves through the world of sports and beyond.

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant teammate Shaquille O’Neal were among the attendees at the “Celebration of Life” memorial at the Staples Center, Bryant’s home arena during most of his storied, 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Former basketball player Michael Jordan
Former basketball player Michael Jordan speaks during a public memorial for NBA great Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2020. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

The event, which opened with a performance by singer Beyonce and a montage of Bryant’s basketball highlights, featured an emotional address by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, who spoke about losing her 13-year-old daughter Gianna and the husband she called her “soulmate.”

“He was mine. He was my everything,” she said of the man she began dating when she was 17.

Vanessa Laine Bryant at memorial
Vanessa Laine Bryant reacts during a public memorial for her late husband, NBA great Kobe Bryant, her daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2020. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Vanessa Bryant recalled how Gianna loved to watch Disney movies with her sisters and enjoyed baking for her family.

“Gianna Bryant is an amazingly sweet and gentle soul,” Vanessa told the crowd through tears. “Her smile was like sunshine. Her smile took up her entire face.”

Gianna and Kobe
Kobe Bryant is pictured with his daughter Gianna at the WNBA All Star Game at Mandalay Bay Events Center, in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jul 27, 2019. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

Bryant, 41, and the others were killed in the crash while en route to a youth basketball tournament at which Kobe was planning to coach his daughter and her teammates.

Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the operator of the helicopter, according to a report on Monday from the Los Angeles Times. The pilot was one of those killed in the crash.

Fans gathered outside the arena hours before the event started, many of them clad in Lakers purple and gold.

“I have been a Kobe fan for a long, long time. It is so sad, especially with the children. But it has really brought the city together,” said Bubacar Drammeh, who stood outside the venue and planned to watch the memorial on TV.

Fans line up outside to Staples Center
Fans line up outside to Staples Center waiting to enter to attend the memorial to celebrate the life of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant, in Los Angeles, on Feb. 24, 2019. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

Somber Mood

Inside the Staples Center, the mood was somber. Concession stands were closed and cell phone use discouraged. Attendees were not allowed in if they arrived late and were not allowed to leave early.

Bryant, who joined the National Basketball Association at age 18 straight out of high school, was a five-time NBA champion and fourth-highest scorer in league history with 33,643 points.

The Lakers, where he spent his entire career, retired both of his jersey numbers – 8 and 24, which hang from the arena’s rafters.

Tributes to Bryant have appeared across the city, with his numbers displayed on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel, city buses bearing “RIP Kobe” signs and purple and gold lights added to the pylons at LAX airport.

“Kobe was like a brother to all of us, he was family and this means a lot,” said Henry Martinez, 37, from Los Angeles. “Even though I didn’t get in and the tickets are tight, I’m still going to come out here and show my respects to Kobe Bryant.”

During the annual NBA All-Star weekend three weeks after his death, the league announced its All-Star Game Most Valuable Player honor would be permanently named for the late superstar.

By Rory Carroll

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