“Kobe! Kobe!” the crowd shouted as Vanessa Bryant walked down from the stage. With that, Kobe Bryant was finally a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The 2020 induction class stood out not only for its volume of high profile players, but for the absence of one: Kobe Bryant.
A year after his death, Kobe is in the Hall of Fame now, along with contemporaries Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Ahead of his award, the ceremony remembered his life and legacy with a moving video about his legendary basketball career.
Michael Jordan walked Vanessa Bryant up the stage, who accepted the award on behalf of her late husband. It is no secret that Bryant spent much of his life following in the footsteps left by Jordan. MJ showed Bryant the way once more, this time formally inviting him atop basketball’s most elite mountaintop.
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Vanessa Bryant made a moving acceptance speech on her late husband’s behalf as Jordan stood on the stage with her.
“Last February, I called Michael and asked if he would introduce Kobe tonight and he graciously accepted. Thank you for being here, Michael. Kobe admired you, this means so much to us.”
The Relationship of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan (L) going head to head against Kobe Bryant (R). AFP PHOTO/Vince BUCCI (Photo by VINCE BUCCI / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant modeled his game after Michael Jordan. He often sought out the legend for advice and guidance during his NBA career.
As close as Bryant and Jordan were statistically, their relationship was much more than the work they put in on the court. Jordan recently revealed that he still clings to the last conversation he and Bryant shared.
It was about the passion shared by the two elite masters of their craft. While the student left too soon, the mentor inducted the little one into the Hall of Fame.
