The tributes for the late Kobe Bryant from all over the league continue to pour in. Everyone wants to share their Kobe story in order to let everyone know how the Los Angeles Lakers legend had an effect on their lives. The latest man to give a touching tribute was his former coach in Phil Jackson.

The former head coach of the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls addressed the fatal helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA that took the lives of Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others. He looked back at what Bryant did to the game of basketball and called him as one of the “chosen ones.”

Per Bleacher Report's Timothy Rapp:

“The crash was a tragedy for multiple families. My heart goes out to Vanessa and the families that lost loved ones,” Jackson said, per B/R's Howard Beck. “Kobe was a chosen one—special in many ways to many people. Our relationship as coach/player transcended the norm. He went beyond the veil.”

It's a great gesture for Jackson to remind everyone that this tragedy was not limited to the Bryants. Seven other people also lost their lives, and their families are grieving the same way the entire basketball world is devastated for Kobe's loss.

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Jackson was with Bryant through the five times he lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy. They had a complicated relationship as coach and player, but both of them would say that their rings wouldn't be possible without the other.

Their relationship was so significant that Kobe wanted Jackson or Michael Jordan to enshrine him in the Hall of Fame, something that he's eligible to be in this year.

“In terms of who might present, for me it's two people: Michael Jordan or Phil Jackson,” he told Liz Levy of Complex. “They've been the greatest mentors, not only in my career as an athlete, but also as a person. And what I might say is just a lot of thank yous. ‘Cause I've had a lotta help along the way. A lotta, lotta help.”

Jackson will definitely be there when Kobe Bean Bryant is added to the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Bryant wouldn't be there to hear the praise Jackson would say about his life as a baller and a human being.