Vanessa Bryant was one of the many celebrities in Cleveland this weekend for NBA All-Star weekend. The late Kobe Bryant was honored at the game at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, and Vanessa presented a special award in honor of her late husband and their daughter Gianna Byrant. During halftime, Michael Jordan who was like a brother to Kobe, shared a special moment with Vanessa, as they smiled, chatted, and shared a sweet hug. Take a look at the tender moment below.
2022 NBA All-Star Game
The strong mama presented Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul with the first-ever Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award, which earns him the honor “for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls and women’s basketball, and advocacy for the WNBA,” per the organization. There is also a newly designed Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award which was won by Stephen Curry.
2022 NBA All-Star Game
The moment between Vanessa and Michael was incredibly special considering, Michael and Kobe used to call each other brothers. At Kobe’s memorial service Jordan was emotional during his speech as he shared how their relationship started with Kobe acting like a little brother who “for whatever reason, always tends to get in your stuff. Your closet, your shoes, everything. It was a nuisance if I can say that word. But that nuisance turned into love over a period of time.”
2022 NBA All-Star Game
Jordan said Kobe “used to call me, text me 11:30, 2:30, 3 in the morning.” “At first, it was an aggravation, but then it turned into a certain passion. This kid had passion like you would never know,” he continued. Kobe was inspired by Jordan, soaking up any detail he would share, but in the end, he inspired and taught Jordan about fatherhood, and love. “I am inspired by what he’s done and what he shared with Vanessa and what he’s shared with his kids,” he said. “I can’t wait to get home to become a girl dad, and to hug them and to see the love and the smiles that they bring to us as parents. He taught me that,” Jordan continued.
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