Connect with us

NBA & NFL

LAKERS OWNER JEANIE BUSS SPEAKS OUT ON KOBE BRYANT … ‘Gigi Motivates Me

Published

on

Jeanie Buss and Kobe Bryant

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss says losing Kobe Bryant is like losing a family member — but credits KB and his daughter Gianna with helping her find her “purpose” in life.

Jeanie has known Kobe ever since her father (the late Jerry Buss) signed him as a rookie back in 1996 and they had remained extremely close ever since.

Jeanie took Kobe’s death extremely hard and waited several days to collect her thoughts before putting out a statement … and what she produced is touching, sad and inspirational all at the same time.

“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 [in 2013], I was struggling to find motivation and purpose,” Buss admits.

“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.”

Kobe Bryant and Jeanie Buss

“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.”

Jeanie continued … “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.”

“Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri – I am so sorry for your loss. 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.”

Kobe Bryant

Lakers’ Jeanie Buss Calls Kobe Bryant ‘Family’: ‘My Father Loved You Like a Son’

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss posted a heartfelt Instagram message Thursday following Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash Sunday that also killed eight others, including his daughter Gianna, in Calabasas, California.

Buss paid tribute to Bryant by calling him a member of the “family” who helped her find the “inspiration and strength [she] was searching for” following the death of her father, Jerry Buss, in 2013:

“Kobe, I don’t know how to express what you mean to me, my family and the Los Angeles Lakers. 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.

Jeanie Buss and Kobe Bryant

“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.

“Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri—I am so sorry for your loss. 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.”

Bryant spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, but that almost wasn’t the case.

The legendary shooting guard requested a trade in 2007 during a lull between L.A.’s time in championship contention after winning three straight titles from 2000 to 2002.

A discussion with Jerry Buss changed his entire outlook, as Bryant said after Buss’ death in 2013:

“I had to make a choice and decision in believing in him. That wasn’t hard to do once I took a step back and looked at everything that he’s accomplished and had a chance to sit down with him. He talked to me about what his vision was and the vision for rebuilding this team quickly. It was easy for me. I was a Laker fan growing up. I saw how many championships he was able to win and how many times he was able to rebuild. That was a pretty easy call for me.”
The Lakers proceeded to win back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

Although Bryant retired in 2016, he remained a confidant of Jeanie Buss and delivered a frank message to her in 2018 about the franchise’s pursuit of LeBron James, per Jerry Bembry of The Undefeated:

“I’ll tell you, when Jeanie Buss came to me and said, ‘I really want to go after [LeBron],’ I said, ‘Jeanie, he’s not coming here until you clean up this s— here.’ The last thing LeBron wants to do is come to an organization that has a lot of infighting, a lot of the stuff going on. I said, ‘Jeanie, it’s time for you to take ownership of this franchise. He’s not going to come if you don’t.'”

The Lakers convinced James to join the organization. Paired with this past offseason’s addition of Anthony Davis, it has vaulted the team back into the championship conversation. The Lakers are the top team in the Western Conference with a 36-10 record.

Bryant had a significant connection with the Buss family for over two decades, and it’s clear based on Jeanie’s message that his impact will continue to be felt moving forward.

Advertisement

Recent Posts

Serena Williams dazzles on party Serena Williams dazzles on party
News2 months ago

Look at Six Serena Williams’s private photos that dazzled everyone…. looking provoking

  Serena Williams made one of the most common fashion blunders last night when she flashed her underwear when climbing...

Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere
Celebrity2 months ago

For The Sake Of Sex: Serena Williams drops panties and gets people talking…

  Let’s talk about sex: More specifically Serena Williams’ sex life. The video below is Serena Williams wearing a butt-bearing...

Serena Williams who have dated her Serena Williams who have dated her
News2 months ago

Serena Williams: 14 eye-popping killer body pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo
Celebrity2 months ago

12 Serena Williams’ incredible powerhouse swimsuit pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Venus Williams is pictured at wedding Venus Williams is pictured at wedding
Celebrity2 months ago

Venus Williams || Six private photos that dazzled everyone and got fans talking

  As for her biggest role models, Serena Williams says she really doesn’t have to look beyond her own mother...

Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing
News2 months ago

Serena Williams posts Six private photos: Everyone is talking about

  Serena Williams is one of the top athletes in the world. But the Los Angeles native still likes to...

Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo
News2 months ago

Serena Williams posts 8 provoking bikini pictures and got fans talking

  The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams looks fine, sweet and sexy once she wore a bikini on holidays...

Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about
Celebrity2 months ago

17 overwhelming pictures Of Serena Williams we can’t stop looking at…

  Tennis legend Serena Williams is rewarding herself with some fun in the sun following an extremely action-packed schedules in...

Venus Williams wedding pics, Venus Williams wedding pics,
News2 months ago

In Photos: Tennis Superstar Venus Williams tie Knot with Boyfriend

  Legendary athlete Venus Williams is commonly regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. And while...

Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams
News2 months ago

“Serena Williams and I had several Exhausting Marathon S*x and I still miss her s*x… “She just knows how to do it very well,” — Sean Kingston opens up

  Sean Kingston has finally revealed the truth about what really happened between him and Serena Williams having Exhausting Marathon...

Advertisement

Copyright © 2017