Sunday would have been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday. With him, as well as his daughter Gigi no longer being, an outpouring of emotions from across the world, but especially among those who knew him best, has flowed on Sunday. Vanessa Bryant posted a heart-wrenching letter on Instagram to Kobe, while teammates like Pau Gasol and opponents from across the years also showed their love for him.
As for LeBron James, who was both a rival and teammate, shared a memory from the time that he gathered everyone around 12 years ago during the Beijing Olympics, to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Kobe Bryant. Don’t be afraid to grab a tissue.
The tragic death of Kobe and Gigi Bryant, as well as seven others in a helicopter crash, was in late January but on days like today, it still feels like yesterday. James had reportedly become closer to Bryant in the years since joining the Lakers and the two spoke with each other only a few hours before the helicopter crash.
As part of honoring Bryant, the Lakers will wear special ‘Black Mamba’ jerseys in tomorrow night’s Game 4 against the Trail Blazers.
