Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, honored her legendary father by wearing his Hall-of-Fame jacket last night with her mother, Vanessa Bryant, on stage while the crowd started chants of “Kobe! Kobe!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pDxGtijWZs&t=6s
That was a beautiful moment. Natalia represented her father very well.
Vanessa, who gave a powerful speech about Kobe and her daughter, Gianna ‘Gigi’ Bryant in February 2020 at the Staples Center, will speak in honor of her late husband with Michael Jordan joining her on stage on Saturday.
More Hall-of-Fame Notes
- Kobe will be getting a Hall-of-Fame exhibit called, “Kobe: A Basketball Life.” This will be just the second time the hall will create a stand-alone space for an enshrined member. More on that in this article by Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times.
- Fellow Hall-of-Fame inductee Kevin Garnett spoke on Kobe, saying he knew a vulnerable side of Kobe that most didn’t—at a time in life where he was also vulnerable. KG said the two used to interact with that “youthfulness.” Our own Chris Crouse has more.
- Garnett became known to be one of the league’s most exciting players during his career, earning the nickname “The Big Ticket” during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Marcus Fuller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune gives his account on Garnett’s impact on the “Twin Cities” and the overall state of Minnesota.
- Another fellow member of this Hall-of-Fame class, Tim Duncan, spoke on how he always needed to be his best when facing off against Kobe. Both of them had plenty of battles throughout their careers, as they both ended up with five championships apiece.
- Duncan also became to be known as a quiet, but dominant player throughout his career. Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times has more on that, including several great stories from players and coaches that have been around him.
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Ben Wallace will be part of the Class of 2021 for the Hall of Fame, according to Marc J. Spears of “The Undefeated.” Wallace won four Defensive Player of the Year Awards, tied with Dikembe Mutombo for most in NBA history. Wallace also earned a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
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Gary Payton says that MJ’s version of NBA Jam should be in the Hall-of-Fame, according to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Bally Sports. “That was the greatest game,” Payton said.
