
via Getty
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw in the second quarter of the game on December 14, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

via Getty
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw in the second quarter of the game on December 14, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant entered the Naismith Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted by his wife Vanessa and his mentor Michael Jordan. Bryant had been announced last year, as he was finally eligible to enter the Hall of Fame. Fans really enjoyed and were touched by the speech Vanessa Bryant delivered at the podium. However, some were left feeling emotional about the fact that Kobe could ‘t give his own speech, and Michael Jordan‘s son Marcus was one amongst these.
Michael Jordan’s son wanted to see Kobe give his speech
Marcus tweeted about his heartbreak over not being able to see Kobe Bryant deliver his own speech. He believes that Kobe earned that honor with the way he played the game. While Vanessa Bryant delivered a wonderful and heartwarming speech, one can wonder what Kobe would have said on the occasion. Marcus Jordan echoed the sentiments of several basketball fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It breaks my heart to think about hearing what Kobe would say in his speech tonight💔🥺
If there was ever a person who earned that moment, he’s up there💜💛
— Marcus Jordan (@HEIRMJ) May 15, 2021
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. During his 20-year career, Bryant was a perennial All-Star, and won several NBA titles. When he made his debut in 1996, Kobe was already considered one of the elite talents in the league. By 1998, Bryant was already an All-Star and going toe-to-toe with Michael Jordan during the All-Star game. But he took the biggest leap in 2000.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kobe Bryant always gave his all to the Lakers
Kobe Bryant teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal under head coach Phil Jackson in 2000. The duo had great chemistry together, winning three consecutive NBA titles between 2000 and 2002. However, their problems began to surface, and the two began falling out with each other. By 2004, O’Neal left the Lakers to join the Miami Heat, and Kobe and the Lakers didn’t reach the NBA Finals till 2008 till he had a new All-Star teammate in Pau Gasol.

via Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 12: Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The duo, much like Kobe and Shaq, went to three consecutive NBA Finals together. While they lost their first series against the Celtics, Kobe, Pau, and the Lakers won the next two NBA championships against Orlando and Boston. Kobe became a five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and won a regular-season MVP in 2008. Bryant cemented himself as one of the all-time greats with those titles, before walking away from the game in 2016.
To this day, fans look back fondly over Kobe’s time in the NBA.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT