The death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has certainly impacted the entire NBA community in some way or form. This includes Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, who had his iconic no. 3 jersey raised in the rafters of the American Airlines Arena on Saturday night.

Speaking to the press after his jersey retirement, Wade — a Heat icon — said he wants to follow in Kobe's footsteps in terms of what the Lakers legend did after retirement.

“I do feel a responsibility. Kobe was leading the way. Kobe retired and showed us after retirement that you can actually master that as well. He mastered basketball, mastered being an amazing father, mastered being a husband. He mastered being a creator. And he was showing us the way. And now we don't have that. So I do feel a responsibility to be that guy for the next generation.”

Bryant tragically passed away nearly a month ago in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of eight other people, including his 13-year old daughter Gianna. The tragedy shook the Heat and the NBA family.

Bryant is obviously one of the most decorated NBA players in the history of the game. But aside from his on-court accolades, he also accomplished a ton after officially retiring from the game in 2016. Kobe won an Oscar for Dear Basketball, a short film he wrote, narrated, and produced. He also became a big advocate of women's basketball because of Gigi's love for the game.

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Unfortunately, we are never going to see how much more Bryant will be able to do. Now, it is up to other influential NBA figures like D-Wade of the Heat, who has been touched by Bryant's life to carry on his legacy.

Much like Bryant, Wade also had a Hall of Fame worthy career with the Heat, finishing with three NBA championships and a Finals MVP in 2006. Now in retirement, he is beginning a career in media. Likewise, Wade is already making an impact in the LGBTQ+ community after he opened up about his undying support for his 12-year old daughter Zaya, who recently came out as transgender.

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