It’s been a year since the world woke up to the news of Kobe Bryant’s death. On January 26, 2020, the NBA legend, alongside 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, died in a helicopter crash, leaving fans reeling
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“Grief is a messed up cluster of emotions. One day you’re in the moment laughing and the next day you don’t feel like being alive,” posted Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, on Instagram ahead of the anniversary. “Find your reason to live. I know it’s hard. I look at my daughters and I try to push through that feeling for them."
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Vanessa, 38, and Kobe, 41, had been married for 18 years when he died. Three children survive Kobe: Natalie, who turned 18 this month, Bianka, 4, and Capri, 1.
Image Credit: Instagram/Vanessa Bryant
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Vanessa posted a letter she received from one of Gigi’s best friends, Aubrey, on the anniversary of her death. “Please do not feel like you have to read this. I cannot begin to comprehend what you are going through,” wrote Aubrey. “There are times I get into a pit of despair thinking about [Gigi] and what she could’ve accomplished. But recently I have been thinking about the mark she did leave on this earth.”
Image Credit: Instagram/Vanessa Bryant
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Underneath the letter, Vanessa wrote: “I will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind and amazing human beings. It still doesn’t seem real. Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you!”
Image Credit: Instagram/Vanessa Bryant
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The grieving mother recently posted an image of a tattoo she has of Kobe's name, followed by their four daughter's names. "My Gigi’s fav heels," she wrote.
Image Credit: Instagram/Vanessa Bryant
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After a difficult year of private grieving and public scrutiny, Kobe’s family has asked that the NBA refrain from holding any tributes for Kobe on the first anniversary of his death. “If you notice, a lack of official tributes from organizations and the #NBA this week for Kobe Bryant, it is because his family has asked that teams do not do tributes this year,” tweeted Jason Dumas, a reporter for a Bay Area news station.
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Frank Vogel, the head coach of the Lakers, gave his players the day off on Tuesday to reflect on Kobe’s death in whichever way they deemed fit.
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“Frank Vogel [Lakers coach] says Lakers are still breaking the huddle with ‘Mamba on three.’ Tradition started last season, and the players wanted to continue doing it,” revealed the Managing Editor of Lakers Nation Matthew Moreno on Twitter.
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Players from other teams found their own way to pay tribute to the late Lakers player. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, whose style of play was inspired by Kobe, arrived to a Nets game on Tuesday wearing a Kobe jersey. He proclaimed: “You know who I was rocking tonight. Come on.”
Image Credit: Twitter/Brooklyn Nets
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Meanwhile, Lakers co-captains LeBron James and Anthony Davis revealed to CNN that they both still struggle with the loss of a friend and a brother. LeBron, who grew up idolising Kobe before the two became close, had this to say: “I try not to put myself back in that head space because it's just too dark, for not only myself but for our organisation and for everyone that's involved in it.”
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But LeBron said there were other ways to keep his memory alive. "Us being able to remember him, wearing [Mamba] jerseys during the postseason and have the postseason we had ... we have a lot of guys wearing his shoes, I'm able to wear the two-four on my finger every night.”
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James’ co-captain Davis said it’s a loss he still struggles with. “As we approach his one-year anniversary, it saddens our hearts to actually come to the realisation that he's gone,” he said. “I know I still have trouble with it, you still just can't believe it, especially when you were really close to him."
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So powerful was Kobe’s reach that it wasn’t restricted to basketball only. And on the anniversary of his death, even football clubs were issuing their condolences. AC Milan, one of Kobe's favourite clubs, tweeted: “Kobe Bryant. A year without you. Your memories help fill the void in our hearts.
Image Credit: Twitter/AC Milan
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J. R. Smith, who last played for the Lakers, also mourned Kobe on Instagram. “Took these days for granted. Thought i was really going to play against you forever. Appreciate the competitive nature you brought out in me, [expletive] can’t lie i ain’t know i had some of this [expletive] till you had out them [expletive] whoopings an i had to figure it out. The game misses your avatar but we all know your soul is all around it. Miss you.”
Image Credit: Instagram/JR Smith
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