The truth of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant not being present for his Hall of Fame induction will weigh heavily on fellow inductees and those in attendance, per Kevin Garnett.
The “Big Ticket” is among the other inductees preparing for their enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. It is certainly cause for celebration. However, Garnett understands just how devastating Bryant's absence will be:
“Not having Kob’ is going to affect everybody … Kobe not being there is going to be super emotional for everybody,” Garnett said, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Garnett elaborated on how much Kobe meant both to him as well as the Lakers and the rest of the NBA.
It probably goes without saying that Bryant, Garnett and fellow inductee Tim Duncan were definitive figureheads especially in the 2000 and into the early 2010s. The three players were inseparable as elite individual talents and fierce leaders, even if Duncan was not as forthright in expressing his emotions as a Kobe or KG.
Emotions should also run high with Michael Jordan and Bryant's wife, Vanessa, set to speak on his behalf. Both gave stirring tributes to Kobe at his memorial service last February.
The whole world still laments the loss of Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and the seven others that died in that tragic helicopter crash in January of 2020. There will be an element of sadness to the proceedings.
Yet, it will also be a time to reflect on Bryant's incredible achievements on the floor and his influence as an ambassador both for the sport and for the “Girl Dads” around the world.
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