Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, and Michael Jordan will be the one inducting the five-time NBA champion.
"I was thinking, at first, I might be a little somewhat nervous about it, but then I realized I'm not going to be nervous about showing emotions for someone I absolutely loved," Jordan, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, told ESPN's Jackie MacMullan. "That's the humanistic side of me—people tend to forget I do have one."
The Chicago Bulls legend previously tearfully eulogized Bryant during his Feb. 24, 2020, public memorial service at Staples Center that doubled as a memorial for his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Both died in a January helicopter crash alongside seven other people.
"When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died."
— ABC News (@ABC) February 25, 2020
Michael Jordan, a close friend of Kobe Bryant, wiped tears away as he spoke at the NBA legend's memorial service. https://t.co/QNxOZMLziQ pic.twitter.com/n7bydR23kT
Michael Jordan references the Michael Jordan crying meme at the Kobe Bryant memorial service. pic.twitter.com/CAgzOCrv50
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) February 24, 2020
Jordan also shared with MacMullan his final text exchange with Bryant, which took place in early December 2019.
Kobe's response
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 11, 2021
MJ revealed his last conversations with Kobe: https://t.co/t63tRVWLf8 pic.twitter.com/bSOEjPVPBj
Bryant played his entire NBA career, from 1996 through the 2015-16 season, for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in April 2016. The 18-time All-Star famously scored 60 points in his final game.
The 2020 Hall of Fame class's COVID-delayed induction ceremony, also honoring the likes of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, will take place at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. For more information, visit the official website.
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