Lakers Paid Tribute To Kobe Bryant Friday Night

NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas the morning of January 26th. He was 41. The NBA superstar was traveling in his private helicopter with daughter Gianna,13 and seven others when it went down. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. Others in the crash have been identified as John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan. Our thoughts go out to all the victim’s families. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Friday night the Lakers returned to Staples Center to take on the Trailblazers and celebrated the life of Kobe…

pic.twitter.com/F2Ahu0wHry

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

"Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we've seen over the last three years.” pic.twitter.com/0sS7e91cuz

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

24. 8.
Thank you, @trailblazers. pic.twitter.com/MrO6IQ0gt4

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

24. 8.
Thank you, @trailblazers. pic.twitter.com/MrO6IQ0gt4

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

"Rest In Peace to the late, great Kobe Bryant." pic.twitter.com/jmqQMVC2UO

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

“Number 24, 6’6, 20th campaign from Lower Merion High School…” pic.twitter.com/H314wWufA2

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

Detail pic.twitter.com/Zy4MNeJAxI

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

The chant that scored 20 iconic years.

(📺: @SpectrumSN ) pic.twitter.com/n6qWnFBOYk

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

One of the toughest games I ever been apart of in my career.. #kobe #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hw6m2Xa4bW

— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 1, 2020

The outpouring of love has been tremendous…

View this post on Instagram

My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately. There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever. Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality. To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org. Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls #Family ❤️

A post shared by Vanessa Bryant 🦋 (@vanessabryant) on Jan 29, 2020 at 4:59pm PST

Mamba Out #ThankYouKobe pic.twitter.com/E8JwydgmeK

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 15, 2016

We are devastated and have been forever changed by the sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. We send our love to Vanessa, the Bryant family, and to the families of the other passengers.

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 30, 2020

Nooooooooooo God please No!

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020

Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020

Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020

Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

Stunned!

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) January 26, 2020

Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020

I’m so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe

— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 26, 2020

Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 26, 2020

He was great,charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever,but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers’ families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 26, 2020

I am completely speechless and devastated at the unexpected passing of my dear friend, @kobebryant. Kobe had a big heart and an even bigger love for the community of Los Angeles. Through his foundation, he changed the lives of so many people and families with his wife, Vanessa. pic.twitter.com/4zs4zcjcfe

— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) January 26, 2020

Kobe was a real life super hero on that court & I’m sure he was one to his family. Sending love and prayers to them. This is heartbreaking.

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) January 26, 2020

“heroes come and go, but legends are forever” – Kobe Bryant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KOYTp5CVNo

— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 27, 2020

The world lost a giant today
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. Also praying for the other passengers that we lost and their families.

— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 26, 2020

When you shake hands with an ANGEL. Rest in peace my beautiful brother. May love and peace surround the families of all involved. Sooo sad. 💔 @kobebryant #24 pic.twitter.com/B56VDohNnO

— Marc Anthony (@MarcAnthony) January 26, 2020