Some 20,000 anonymous and a crowd of NBA stars and all walks of life were present Monday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to pay a final tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who died on January 26 in a helicopter crash .
1. Beyonce sang two of her hits, "XO" and "Halo"
đź’śđź’› @Beyonce pays tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant with a couple of his favorite songs pic.twitter.com/HIfTfWmtlS
- The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 24, 2020The 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 presents in the places of honor with her three other girls.
02/24/2020, because he who was one of the greatest players of all time wore jersey n ° 24 for more than a decade within the LA team, and because his daughter, young promising player , was evolving with number 2.
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2. The whole NBA family gathered in the audience
The whole NBA family was there 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, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Stephen Curry, James Harden, not to mention the boss of the League, Adam Silver. Tony Parker was also present.
3. Intimate and celebrities mixed in the stands
Music celebrities like Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg, cinema like Spike Lee or television like 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.
4. The poignant tribute of Vanessa Bryant to her daughter
About Gianna, she said, "We won't be able to see Gigi go to high school with Natalia. I can't tell her how beautiful she is on her wedding day. I will never again see my little girl walking down the aisle, dancing with her father. "
“She would probably have become the best player in the WNBA. She would have made a huge difference to women's basketball. GG was determined to change the way everyone views women in sport, ”she added.
5. When Vanessa Bryant returns to her “incredible love story” with Kobe
“He was my everything.”
Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe at the Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/vHb9xP0qmm
Kobe "was everything to me since I was 17 and a half," she then said. “I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidante and her protector. He was the most incredible husband. "
“We really had an incredible love story. We loved each other with our whole being. Two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and incredible daughters. Kobe was the dad's MVP, "she said.
6. Michael Jordan's tears
Kobe Bryant has received a vibrant show of friendship from another NBA legend. Michael Jordan ended his speech in tears.
7. "I just wanted to be the best big brother possible for him," was moved by the legendary number 23 of the Chicago Bulls.
“As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”
Michael Jordan on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/dTSp7VDosP
8. Alicia Keys' Moonlight Sonata on Piano
Alicia Keys performs her rendition of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at Kobe & Gianna's Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/yzPY3lakWk
- NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 20209. Christina Aguilera sang the Ave Maria
. @ xtina bringing the crowd to tears honoring @KobeBryant. #KobeFarewell pic.twitter.com/14G9KLLjK6
- Connor Malbeuf (@ConnorMMalbeuf) February 24, 202010. Shaquille O'Neal's farewell speech
“Now it's time for us to continue your legacy.”
Shaq on Kobe's impact. pic.twitter.com/Zw2n3b1aMB
"You left us far too early, the new chapter of your life had just started, but now it is up to us to carry your inheritance", notably launched the imposing old pivot, whose speech was concluded with shouts from the crowd in the name of "Kobe".