Sunday marked Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s fifth death anniversary and Shaquille O’Neal took to Instagram to pay tribute to them. O’Neal posted some pictures of Kobe and Gianna on the platform with a heartfelt message.
“Miss you lil bro and miss you too Gigi.”
Kobe and Gianna tragically passed away on Jan. 26, 2020, in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California. They were traveling for a basketball game at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks at the time and their deaths sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world.
O’Neal thought news of Bryant’s passing had to be a hoax but then had to come to terms with the fact that it was reality. He deeply regretted not reaching out more to his former teammate in his final years. While the two didn’t end up speaking much, they at least mended fences before it was too late.
Bryant and O’Neal have gone down as one of the greatest duos in NBA history. They were teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons from 1996 to 2004 and won three titles in a row from 2000 to 2002.
While Bryant and O’Neal enjoyed tremendous success on the court, they didn’t get along too well off it. They repeatedly clashed behind the scenes and their differences played a part in O’Neal departing for the Miami Heat in 2004. The two traded barbs in the following years but would eventually bury the hatchet. One can only imagine how much worse O’Neal would have felt had they not patched up before Bryant’s passing.
O’Neal was far from the only NBA icon to pay tribute to Bryant on his death anniversary. Scottie Pippen had some epic playoff battles against both men and he posted a beautiful message on X.
“Kobe, it’s been five years, and I still find myself looking back on your legacy as a father, a friend, and a fierce competitor. Gigi was proof that greatness runs in the family, and the love you shared inspires all of us who are blessed to be girl dads. Your impact goes beyond basketball, and it always will. Rest in peace, my brother… you and Gigi are forever in our hearts.”
Another contemporary of Kobe’s to pay tribute was Carmelo Anthony. Anthony shared an emotional message on Instagram with a picture of the two men laughing during their time with Team USA.
“Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
You realize the true value of something (or someone in this case) only after losing it. Bryant’s passing was a huge loss to the basketball world but fortunately, many are inspired by him and are determined to carry on his legacy.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement in which he pointed to Bryant’s incredible impact on the players that have come after him.
“Kobe Bryant continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring and current NBA and WNBA players, young athletes playing at all levels and those who are motivated solely by his relentless pursuit of excellence.
“Our thoughts today are with Vanessa and the Bryant family as we remember Kobe and their daughter, Gianna, with whom he shared a special bond around a profound love of the game of basketball.”
Both Kobe and Gianna are no longer with us but will live on in the hearts and minds of millions of basketball fans around the world.
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