Vanessa Bryant pictured her late husband Kobe’s reaction to her praise as she spoke at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bryant noted that she rarely publicly praised her husband and that he would get a kick out of her speech, saying, “I can see him now, arms folded with a great grin saying, ‘Isn’t this some s—-.
NBA greats Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were among the other luminaries honoured with Kobe Bryant’s posthumous induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
On Saturday, more than a year after they were designated as the class of 2020, Bryant and eight others were finally admitted into the Hall of Fame.
Contents
Vanessa Bryant Gives Powerful Speech
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant perished in a helicopter crash in January of 2020. Bryant won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant, wearing a purple outfit that seemed to match the Los Angeles Lakers’ colours, was escorted to the platform by Michael Jordan to begin her speech.
Kobe was extraordinary, Bryant said. “If it had to do with basketball, he never tried to cut corners. During this match, he played his absolute best.”
Kobe Bryant Played With a Fractured Nose
Kobe Bryant played with a fractured nose and an IV in his arm during a game, both of which Bryant recalls. She also recalled the time her husband injured his Achilles tendon but still managed to sink two free throws to the applause of the crowd.
Bryant reflected on how impressive it was that the player had overcome such a serious injury.
She explained that Kobe Bryant played despite his injuries because he didn’t want to let down his fans, who he had seen for the first time as a little boy sitting in the nosebleed area to watch his favourite players like Michael Jordan.
Knowing that her audience would want to take their time enjoying this moment of catharsis together, Vanessa Bryant didn’t rush through her remarks. Her voice cracked on the final line, yet she spoke from the heart.
Last Words
You are a true champion, man. Aside from being the best player ever, you deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Incredibly pleased with you. Kobe Bean Bryant, you will always and forever be loved by me.
Her youngest daughters, still too little to fully appreciate what happened on Saturday, will witness this ceremony and this speech one day.
I have no doubt that when they do, they will feel a sense of accomplishment. Thanks for reading our article Vanessa Bryant Gives Powerful Speech Inducting Kobe Bryant Into …
