Vanessa Bryant to Lakers after NBA title win: ‘Wish Kobe and Gianna were here to see this’; others pay tribute
The Los Angeles Lakers bagged their 17th NBA championship after a 10-year NBA title drought. The team brought home the Larry O’Brien championship trophy, which was last in their possession in 2010 when Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP.
In her Instagram stories, Kobe’s widow Vanessa Bryant, who cares for their daughters Natalia, Capri and Bianka, congratulated the Los Angeles Lakers following the team’s Game 6 victory over the Miami Heat. She posted an old photo of Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and Kobe with the message:
“Congratulations Uncle P! Congratulations @Lakers Kobe was right, RP! "Stay the course — block out the noise'—@kobebryant," Vanessa said.
She added, “Wish Kobe and Gianna were here to see this.”
The Lakers championship came the same year Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died, along with seven others, from a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Jan. 26. The team dedicated the NBA season in memory of the NBA legend.
Following the Lakers win, an outpouring of support and congratulations for the team, and tributes to the Black Mamba flooded social media from sportsmen, NBA legends like Magic Johnson and Bill Russell, former LA Lakers Pau Gasol (who led the Lakers to its 2010 championship with Kobe), celebrities, and even from former US President Barack Obama.
Laker Nation, LeBron James made good on his guarantee that he would take the @Lakers to the NBA Finals and bring a championship to Lakers fans all around the world. Mission accomplished @KingJames!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 12, 2020
It’s odd not being @ #NBAFinals but @MiamiHEAT put up a good fight Strange times in the @NBA Bubble. I may not be there but I want to say Congratulations to @KingJames for winning the #BillRussellFinalsMVPaward & Congratulations to the @lakers #ForKobeAndGigi #MambaOut @NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/p91H7Td3t0
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) October 12, 2020
Congrats to the @Lakers and @Seattlestorm on their championship wins! Proud of all the NBA and WNBA teams and players who've been using their platforms to take a stand for racial justice and encourage civic participation this season.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 12, 2020
Congratulations to the @Lakers on their 17th championship. This team, this city, deserves the win. #LakeShow ?? pic.twitter.com/unmJDygWS4
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) October 12, 2020
Carry on...????? pic.twitter.com/SZikNpWsxN
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 12, 2020
This one is for you brother, for you Gianna, for Vanessa, for Natalia, for Bianka and for Capri. ??
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) October 12, 2020
Congratulations to the entire @Lakers team, @JeanieBuss and the Lakers family for winning the 17th championship!! ???? pic.twitter.com/glYG421whq
Big Big Congrts to @KingJames His legacy is still being written.....
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) October 12, 2020
Historic season for so many reasons!! Congratulations on an incomparable finish and another championship for my brother @KingJames!!! @NBA @TheNBPA
— Chris Paul (@CP3) October 12, 2020
That #23 dude is pretty good!! Congrats to the @Lakers on another championship and to the @MiamiHEAT, wonderful team! Congrats to the @NBA also for doing very successfully what almost nobody thought could be done! #chapeau.
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) October 12, 2020
I’d like to think Kobe and Gigi played a part in this win.
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) October 12, 2020
???
The Never Ending Dynasty. Champs again. pic.twitter.com/NvSldhkfbJ
— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 12, 2020
Lakers, you took our heartbreak and helped us heal. We love you! GO @Lakers!!
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) October 12, 2020
Banner image from imdb.com and Instagram/vanessabryant