Lakers Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar Reveals What Affected Him the Most After Kobe Bryant’s Death

It’s exactly been a year since the NBA lost one of its brightest stars in Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and 7 others. It still seems unreal and unbelievable that Kobe is no more.

Former Lakers coach and legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar shared a close relationship with the Black Mamba. Jabbar built a great relation with Kobe during his time as the Lakers’ assistant coach under Phil Jackson.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar opens up about how Kobe’s death affected him

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 19-time All-Star opened up about the thing that affected him the most with Kobe’s death.

He said, “The thing that affected me the most was that the wonderful parent is no more with us. What he did as an example for a man with three daughters and how he was such a concerned and caring parent, coach for his daughters, that person is no longer here.”

“The example is within his own family that there is a big hole there and it’s not gonna be around anymore.”

Kobe shared a beautiful relationship with his daughters. From writing books inspired by his daughters to being a proud Girl Dad, Kobe did it all.

Gianna and Kobe’s loss has certainly left a huge void in the Bryant family.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar remembers the first time he saw Kobe Bryant

Although Kareem Abdul Jabbar built his relationship with Kobe as an assistant coach, he had known the Black Mamba for a long, long time. Kobe’s father Joe Bryant played in the NBA from 1975 to 1983.

In the eight years he played for the 76ers, Clippers and the Rockets. In 1978, before 76ers faced the Bucks, Joe brought his new born kid, Kobe Bryant, with him. Jabbar recalled the first time he saw baby Bryant.

He said, “I remember I was playing, when Kobe was born and his dad brought Kobe to practice when we played in Philadelphia. He wanted us all to see his infant son, he was so proud of him and to have known him that way that long it’s a big loss.”

Kobe certainly left a mark on the 73-year-old who and many other lives who still mourn his tragic loss.