The tribute began with a video broadcast on giant screens returning to Bryant's sporting and personal history, before Beyoncé sang her two hits "XO" and "Halo". After which, ovationated, moved, she looked up there in the direction of Kobe, whose jerseys are enthroned on the ceiling. Entitled "A celebration of life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant", this public tribute is held on a symbolic date on February 24, 2020, decided by the wife and mother of the deceased, Vanessa Bryant, present at the places of honor with his three other daughters.
Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar, O'Neal, Duncan ...
02/24/2020, because he who was one of the greatest players of all time wore jersey n ° 24 during the 20 years he played in the LA team, because his daughter, a promising young player, she evolved with the number 2. The whole NBA family was present for this public farewell: the current Lakers team, LeBron James at the head, but also Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol , Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Stephen Curry, James Harden, not to mention League boss Adam Silver. Music celebrities, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop dogg, Spike Lee cinema, television as host Jimmy Kimmel, were also on the walls. They all stood up and were moved to tears when Vanessa Bryant spoke, her throat tied with grief. About Gianna, she said, "We can't see GG going to high school with Natalia. I can't tell her how beautiful she is on her wedding day. I will never see my little girl walk in the aisle, dancing with his father . " "She would probably have become the best player in the WNBA. She would have made a huge difference in women's basketball. GG was determined to change the way everyone views women in the sport," she added.
A 24-page program
Kobe "was everything to me since I was 17 and a half," she said. "I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidante and his protector. He was the most incredible husband." "We really had an incredible love story. We love with all of our being. Two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and incredible daughters. Kobe was the dad's MVP, "she said. Long before the ceremony, early Monday morning, thousands of people of all generations had flocked to the Downtown area. Some who thought they could buy tickets were turned away, such as Brandy Richter and her three-year-old daughter Penelope "who came from Seattle on purpose". The atmosphere outside, under a sunny sky was like in the room: in meditation, silent and sad. This did not stop the usual street vendors from trying to sell their stocks of t-shirts bearing the image of the deceased hero, between two hot dog grills. Ticket holders had to pass two security checks before entering the Staples Center and were entitled to the "official t-shirt", a "KB" badge and a 24-page program of this event which will certainly be a milestone in the history of Los Angeles.
Complaint against helicopter company
For almost a month since the tragedy took place, the whole city has been mourning the Lakers star. Buses announce between two stops "RIP Kobe" ("Rest in Pais Kobe") and portraits of Bryant father and daughter are displayed on giant panels with the caption "8 24 FOREVER THE ONE". As during the great evenings promised and offered by Bryant, during the twenty years he wore the purple and gold jersey with five NBA titles to the key, the places for this event in "the house that Kobe built", were snapped up at symbolic prices ranging from 24.02 dollars and 224 dollars. On January 26, Kobe Bryant, 41, his daughter Gianna, 13, and 7 others died in the helicopter accident in northwest Los Angeles. On this day when a moving public farewell is offered to them, Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit against the helicopter company and the rights holders of pilot Ara Zobayan, who had also died in the tragedy.
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