The owner of the Los Angeles Lakers has posted an emotional tribute to Kobe Bryant, in which she said he was like family to her and inspired her to be a strong female leader in a male-dominated sport.
Jeanie Buss posted a message to her Instagram page on Thursday praising the longtime Lakers player, who was killed alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Buss said she counted Bryant as family since her father, the former Lakers owner Jerry Buss, “loved you like a son.”
Jeanie BussKobe, I don’t know how to express what you mean to me, my family and the Los Angeles Lakers. My father loved you like a son, which makes us family. When you invited me to lunch shortly after my father passed away, I was struggling to find motivation and purpose. Kobe, you brought Gianna with you to spend some time with me. You explained that you wanted to show her that women can be leaders in the NBA, just like the men. At first, it seemed like an action of a devoted father setting an example for his daughter. But in actuality – and I am positively sure you knew EXACTLY what you were doing – what you did was give me the inspiration and strength I was searching for. I reflect on that day often and it makes me smile and it makes me strong. I call on that memory whenever I feel down and need a bit of courage. For everything you did on the court that filled me with so much joy and love, for all the lives you changed through basketball itself, it was that day with Gigi that reignited my drive and determination. Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri - I am so sorry for your loss. We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you. To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation - we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly. We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win TOGETHER. We love you. Kobe - that’s what you made you so unbelievably special. You not only inspired us towards greatness, you showed us the way. : : To learn more about how you can help the families affected by this tragedy go to MambaOnThree.org and to further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports visit MambaSportsFoundation.org #peace #love #joy #family #Mamba #Mambacita #2 #8 #24 : : Picture taken in February 2016 on the way to #NBAAllStar game in #Toronto
She said she along with all Lakers fans were “one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly.”
She recounted a 2013 meeting with Bryant and Gianna, not long after Jerry Buss died, which she said helped inspire her as a high-powered woman in the NBA.
Buss said Bryant brought Gianna with her to a lunch and said the purpose was “to show her that women can be leaders in the NBA, just like the men.”
She said, however, that she believed Bryant also wanted to inspire her.
Foto: Bryant with Jerry Buss, then the Lakers’ owner, in 2008 after receiving an MVP award.sourceRic Francis/AP
“I am positively sure you knew EXACTLY what you were doing,” she wrote. “What you did was give me the inspiration and strength I was searching for. I reflect on that day often and it makes me smile and it makes me strong.
“I call on that memory whenever I feel down and need a bit of courage. For everything you did on the court that filled me with so much joy and love, for all the lives you changed through basketball itself, it was that day with Gigi that reignited my drive and determination.”
The Lakers postponed a game with the Los Angeles Clippers, which had been scheduled for Tuesday, as a mark of respect for Bryant.
