Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka issued an official statement on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, calling Bryant his “best friend” and Kobe's daughter Gianna–who also perished in Sunday's helicopter accident–his “goddaughter:”

Pelinka goes on to mention Bryant's affinity for being a “girl-dad,” something that has become a staple of his legacy following a beautiful memory from ESPN's Elle Duncan in which she recounted Bryant's love for his daughters. He also noted the “pure joy” Gianna exhibited throughout the course of life.

While Pelinka grieves the loss of Kobe and Gianna, he also articulated a sense of hope for the future. Pelinka stated “death has no victory” and asserted “All of us touched by them will now try to become torch carriers of their legacies.”

The words cannot have come easily for Pelinka. He was Bryant's agent during his playing career, and noted his close friendship with Kobe during his introductory press conference as Lakers GM (via Thomas Duffy of Bleacher Report):

“Kobe, what Michelangelo is the art, what Beethoven is to music, what Shakespeare is to words, you are to me as a friend,” he said. “And you are to the Lakers.”

Bryant himself had high praise for Pelinka's knowledge of the “business of basketball”:

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)

Pelinka has been through his fair share of trials and tribulations with the Lakers and even had to endure rumors of a philosophical split with Magic Johnson last season. Still, as Bryant suggested, he has played an instrumental role in bringing “winning” basketball back to Los Angeles.

There is no question Pelinka and the rest of the Laker organization will have heavy hearts when they host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center on Friday.