During Monday’s memorial service honoring Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and the seven others who lost their lives in a helicopter accident on Jan. 26, NBA legend Michael Jordan gave a heartfelt speech about the basketball star, reminiscing about their relationship and what Bryant meant to the world.
“Kobe was my dear friend, he was like a little brother,” Jordan said at the memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles to the thousands in attendance. “When Kobe died, a little piece of me died.”
Jordan spoke about the sibling-like relationship he and Bryant had. He said that Bryant would reach out to him all the time and at all hours of the night to talk about post-up moves or footwork. Jordan said at first it was an aggravation, but that he recognized the passion that Bryant had for the game of basketball.
“This kid had passion like you would never know,” Jordan said. “As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”
Bryant, who modeled much of his game after Jordan, played against Jordan eight times in his career. One of their most notable matchups came in December 1997, when Bryant scored 33 points and Jordan had 36. In their last matchup together in 2003, Bryant scored 55 point against Jordan. Jordan retired for the third and final time at the end of that season.
“Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe,” Jordan said.
Jordan added that they didn’t only talk about basketball, they spoke about business, family and life in general.
“He was just trying to be a better person,” Jordan said.
Jordan related a story from a few months ago when Bryant texted him, asking what kind of basketball moves Jordan worked on when he was 12 so he could better teach Gianna.
“This was at 2 o’clock in the morning,” Jordan said.
As he grew emotional on stage, Jordan joked about the now infamous meme of him crying, and how he didn’t want to see a new one circulating around.
“I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this cause I didn’t want to see that for the next three or four years,” Jordan said. “That is what Kobe Bryant does to me.”
Jordan was one of the handful of athletes and sports figure who spoke during the memorial service that included his former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka, WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi and Bryant’s wife and Gianna’s mother Vanessa Bryant.
FAQs
“Kobe was my dear friend, he was like a little brother,” Jordan said at the memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles to the thousands in attendance. “When Kobe died, a little piece of me died.”
What did Jordan say to Kobe on the court? ›
I told him you should feel the defense with your legs. Once you feel the defense in your leg you more or less got to feel where the defense is and you can take advantage of that." "Not at all," Jordan said about having no problem in giving away his trade secrets. "It's just a matter of passing.
How did Michael Jordan feel when Kobe died? ›
"Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling. I loved Kobe -- he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often and I will miss those conversations very much.
What was the last message Kobe sent? ›
Bryant had texted Pelinka to ask if he knew a baseball agent based in southern California. The former Laker wanted to help secure an internship with the agent for the daughter of one of his friends.
What did Kobe think of Michael Jordan? ›
The late great Kobe Bryant idolized Michael Jordan through and through. From the moment he learned the game of basketball, he wanted to be like His Airness and emulate his every move.
Are Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant friends? ›
The tragedy made him reveal the true meaning of their relationship. MJ loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to him. At one point Jordan said that when Bryant died a piece of him died. Time built a true brotherhood between the master and the apprentice, and Jordan acknowledged Bryant's talent.
Why was Kobe getting a divorce? ›
Vanessa Bryant, who stood by her husband when he was charged with sexual assault in 2003, filed for divorce just under 13 months ago, citing irreconcilable differences after a decade of marriage.
How old was Kobe when he faced Michael Jordan? ›
Both on the court and off it, Kobe Bryant was a thirteen-year-old version of the twenty-three-year-old version of Michael Jordan, believing that he could do it all alone, that he was his team's only hope and salvation, that passing was inherently unproductive, every shot he took acting as a salve for his own ego.
Was LeBron James at the Kobe Memorial? ›
The Los Angeles Lakers star and close friend of Kobe appeared notably absent from the service, which was attended by several of LeBron's teammates as well as other famous figures in the NBA. The cameras often panned to the celebrities seated inside Staples Center, but never to LeBron.
What was Kobe's famous saying? ›
As the NBA icon said best: "Hard work outweighs talent — every time." Gianna and Kobe Bryant. "You don't want to jump into something if you're not passionate about it." "Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged.
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan have lots of history together. For the better part of one whole season, Kobe was getting buckets in Air Jordans. A sneaker free agent in 2002-03, the Black Mamba wore a wide variety of Mikes, ranging from performance favorites to ultra-rare PEs.
What did LeBron say when Kobe died? ›
After Kobe's tragic death in January 2020, LeBron shared several heartfelt messages on social media expressing his love and admiration for his friend and fellow basketball legend: "I'm heartbroken and devastated my brother!! 😢😢😢😢💔. Man I love you big bro.
Who gave the eulogy at Kobe Bryant's funeral? ›
Kobe Bryant memorial: Vanessa Bryant's full eulogy for Kobe and Gianna. Vanessa Bryant spoke movingly about her husband, Kobe, and daughter, Gianna, Monday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
