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Last night the NBA on TNT guys accompanied by Dwyane Wade, Jerry West, Reggie Miller, Candace Parker, Steve Nash, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher & more delivered the greatest tribute of Kobe Bryant yet. It was a great group of people who knew Kobe or had a story about Kobe that made you appreciate his greatness. I’m not going to write a lot in this blog because there is nothing I can say that will even do this justice. If you have time today take an hour to watch through each of these videos. Each one is better than the next.
No. 8 & No. 24 forever.
📸: @ReggieMillerTNT pic.twitter.com/848CO1a5fx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 28, 2020
Join us on NBAonTNT as we celebrate the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/tiKe90KUt7
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 28, 2020
NBA on TNT honors the lives lost in Sunday’s tragic accident. pic.twitter.com/esYvHPgAE4
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
There will never be another Kobe. pic.twitter.com/3vyRrYpP4L
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
When Ernie Johnson immediately came on you could tell in his voice the tears started way before they were on air. Ernie is one of the most powerful speakers in times like these and I’m glad he was able to put into words how many were feeling. It was poetic, dignified, and emotional. And it was perfect.
Kobe was the glue that held LA together.@TurnerSportsEJ reflects on the life & legacy of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/GhFvZKPWlc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Dwyane Wade tells an awesome story about coming into the league and playing against Kobe for the first time and recounts the time he gained Kobe’s respect while playing on the USA team.
“As a young kid, coming into this league, it was one person I wanted the respect from…It was Kobe Bryant.”@DwyaneWade reflects on his experience with Kobe. pic.twitter.com/Z7AHlfkOzp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“This is one of the greatest players to ever play and he’s reaching out to me, a younger player.”@DwyaneWade shares one of his favorite memories of Kobe. pic.twitter.com/QnqbOFzXku
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“This is the first day since I’ve retired that I actually wish I was in practice with you guys.”@DwyaneWade on missing the game his friend loved. pic.twitter.com/9Y2nW4pVqI
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“Everyone wants to put us against him, but we were just trying to make him proud of us.”@DwyaneWade and @KingJames had nothing but love for the Mamba. pic.twitter.com/h9mTp7aZm2
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“The first thing I thought of was him as a family man.” @TheJetOnTNT reflects on Kobe, the father. pic.twitter.com/bB9TTYCePx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“He was like one of my kids.”
Charles on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/lWWBl78AAH
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“For the last 20 years… It’s been Kobe’s league.”
Chuck reflects on how Kobe defined a generation. pic.twitter.com/LbQUxE0pna
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
I never knew the history behind Kobe and Jerry West and how much they meant to each other. A lot of times front office and player relationships are all business, but not with these two. These two genuinely loved and cared for each other.
“He always talked about this Mamba mentality. He didn’t have to create that, it was already there.”
Jerry West on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/sjIed4rBfy
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
"Not this Black Mamba."
The Logo remembers Kobe's unshakable confidence. pic.twitter.com/wo9CSlM5H6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Jerry West on Kobe potentially joining the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/3JOhjdaV4n
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Other than Jerry West, Shaq delivered the greatest moments from this tribute. I know plenty of people wondered what their relationship was really like behind the scenes, even to this day. I’m glad Shaq got to set the record straight with some powerful words and stories about what his friend meant to him.
“I truly believe that we will be the most dominant big/little, one-two punch ever.”@SHAQ on his time with Kobe. pic.twitter.com/yEqweQFBdv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Kobe had big plans from the start. pic.twitter.com/MqFdyPVQnj
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“This man knows our true relationship.”@SHAQ on the mutual respect between him and Kobe. pic.twitter.com/SGGGpsoTiz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“He looked at my two youngest sons and gave them the trophy.” @SHAQ on one of his favorite Kobe moments. pic.twitter.com/XlzAafjigl
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“I haven’t felt a pain that sharp in a while.. it definitely changes me.”’@SHAQ on the loss of his brother, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/dM5i0DDgGK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
"At age 17, he just wanted to be the man."@SHAQ on Kobe having the Mamba mentality at a young age. pic.twitter.com/hwmQhSQmrc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“We had no answer for No. 8 and No. 24.”@ReggieMillerTNT on facing the Black Mamba. pic.twitter.com/nT2JuT9zu4
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Charles expresses his appreciation for Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/4ItEt5zbSZ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“Bosses push, leaders pull… That’s who he was.” @Candace_Parker on what made Kobe a unique leader. pic.twitter.com/NVf3QtKeIv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
"Everyone is doing what ever they can to honor one of our legends."
The NBA community continues to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/YfBYCT8XDk
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“Through it all, we had a tremendous amount of respect for each other.”
Steve Nash on his relationship with Kobe. pic.twitter.com/tRt9ouRkBP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
.@RickFox discusses how Sunday’s inaccurate reports affected his family. pic.twitter.com/tynwNicB01
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“Kobe’s language was that he needed that drive and pain to work hard everyday.”@RickFox knew Kobe's mentality was different. pic.twitter.com/ye2W6DQnVK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
“I hate that this had to happen in order for us to appreciate the full version of Kobe Bryant.” @derekfisher reflects on Kobe’s legacy. pic.twitter.com/tLXZC1rBdw
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
.@derekfisher and @DwyaneWade share a memory of Kobe's competitive spirit. pic.twitter.com/JhTeawQ7oo
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Thank you, Kobe.
Mamba Forever.
(via @NBAonTNT | @HowardBeck) pic.twitter.com/3zMg4rjyyV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2020
A perfect sendoff from Shaq.
“Every time I see you guys, expect an ‘I love you.’” – @SHAQ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tQQpVEJa6k
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020