It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly two years since Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (aka Gigi) were among the Nine killed in helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The tragic loss of young lives – including one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history – continues to haunt Black Mamba fans and those who play professional basketball. Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson said the same on Wednesday, July 20, when he accepted the ESPY Award for Best Athlete in Return, credited the entire Bryant family for their role in his journey, and Kobe’s wife Vanessa responded to his kind words.
Klay Thompson returned to the Golden State this past January, after spending more than two years battling injuries: first a ruptured ACL and then a ruptured Achilles tendon. On his return, he helped his team Win the NBA Championship Something he said wouldn’t have been possible without Kobe Bryant’s inspiring words. Warrior seemed a little emotional when he accepted his ESPY, concluding by saying:
Finally, I’d like to thank the Bryant family, because I don’t know if Vanessa is watching there, but for Vanessa and her three beautiful daughters, we think of Kobe and Gigi every day. I read Mamba Mentality every day during rehab, these are the best memories of my life watching him play, and it inspired me to be the athlete that I am today. …thank you Kobe. Thank you Gigi.
Turns out Vanessa Bryant was watching, because she shared a video of Klay Thompson’s acceptance speech for her Instagram, and thanked him for the kind feelings and for preserving not only the memory of her husband, but also the memory of her daughter. I wrote:
klaythompson, you are a first class act. Thank you for your support and love for Kobe, Gigi and our family. Thank you for always including Gigi when you think of a mug. our end. #MambaMentality #Espys
Continuing to share stories about Kobe Bryant and Gigi is one way to ensure their legacy continues after the tragic crash of January 26, 2020, and Vanessa Bryant carried that torch — with Helping many others – By posting about Share special memoriesAnd the Honoring her late husband on his birthday.
Vanessa Bryant deserves a lot of praise for the way she has been able to stay strong for her three daughters, especially dealing with her grief in front of the entire world and Continue to fight legal battles related to the accident. There’s no doubting how much it means when today’s athletes show that her husband’s contributions are so memorable, and Gigi’s spirit is still very much alive too.
If you want a look at the life and legacy of the former Laker, the five NBA championships he fought and the forces that propelled the Black Mamba to be one of the best basketball players in history, check out these documentaries and specials on Kobe Bryant, including how to stream it.
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