More than a year ago the world of basketball was dressed in mourning, after dying in a plane crash in which the former LA Lakers player, the iconic Kobe Bryant, lost his life while flying by helicopter over California along with his daughter Gianna and teammates from the children’s basketball team.
The Black Mamba was NBA champion with the Los Angeles quintet, in which he was crowned five times, a three-time championship and a two-time championship: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010.
“In terms of who might present, for me it’s two people: Michael Jordan or Phil Jackson. They’ve been the greatest mentors, not only in my career as an athlete, but also as a person. And what I might say is just a lot of thank yous. ‘Cause I’ve had a lotta help along the way. A lotta, lotta help.” Bryant said in 2017.
The reasons enough to withdraw the two numbers that he carried as a player on 8 and 24, and on May 15, Kobe will continue to make history when he is inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
But that will not be all, as he will be welcomed by the living legend of American basketball, the multi-champion with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan , who was the inspiration in the early days of Bryant’s career.
“Maybe it surprised people that Kobe and I were very close friends, but we were very close friends. Kobe was my dear friend. He was like a little brother. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe.” Jordan said.
During the same event, Kevin Garnett, champion with the Boston Celtics, Tim Duncan, legend of San Antonio Spurs, Tamika Catchings, legend of women with the Indiana Fever, among others, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on May 15.
