Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Breaks Silence On Kobe Bryant
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has broken her silence following the loss of Kobe Bryant and says that she feels as if she has lost a family member.
Jeanie adds that Kobe and Gianna helped her find a purpose in life ever since she met Kobe as a rookie in 1996, when her father, the late Jerry Bus first signed him.
Kobe and Gianna’s death had a huge impact on Buss and it took days for her to be able to gather her thoughts,
“Kobe, I don’t know how to express what you mean to me, my family and the Los Angeles Lakers,” Buss wrote. “My father loved you like a son, which makes us family. When you invited me to lunch shortly after my father passed away, I was struggling to find motivation and purpose. Kobe, you brought Gianna with you to spend some time with me. You explained that you wanted to show her that women can be leaders in the NBA, just like the men.”
“At first, it seemed like an action of a devoted father setting an example for his daughter. But in actuality – and I am positively sure you knew EXACTLY what you were doing – what you did was give me the inspiration and strength I was searching for. I reflect on that day often and it makes me smile and it makes me strong. I call on that memory whenever I feel down and need a bit of courage.”
“For everything you did on the court that filled me with so much joy and love, for all the lives you changed through basketball itself, it was that day with Gigi that reignited my drive and determination,” Buss added.
She also addressed Kobe’s wife Vanessa,
“Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri – I am so sorry for your loss,” Buss wrote. “We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you. To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation – we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly. We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win TOGETHER. We love you.”
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