The shock and bewilderment of the tragic death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) remains deep. The former Los Angeles Lakers star died on Sunday in a helicopter crash that also killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant and seven others. Shortly before the crash, he had reported to Shareef O'Neal (20), the son of his long-time Lakers colleague Shaquille O'Neal (47). He shared the short message on his Instagram account, for example.
As can be seen in the screenshot, Bryant asked the 20-year-old shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday morning whether he was well. Shareef O'Neal replied shortly before 11 a.m. – by then Kobe Bryant was already dead. The helicopter accident occurred around 10 a.m. Shareef O'Neal's post says, among other things: "I wish I hadn't slept late (…) You were not only a great uncle, but also a coach and a mentor to me … I love you .. Thank you for everything you did. "
"I love you and I will miss you"
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant coined the early 2000s at the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the NBA title about three times in a row. However, there are rumors that there have been tensions and rivalries between the successful duo. O'Neal joined Club Miami Heat in 2004. On Instagram, he says goodbye to his long-time teammate and friend with emotional words.
Among other things, Shaquille O'Neal writes: "There are no words to describe the pain I am going through (…)." He lost "my niece Gigi and my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my buddy and my homie". "I love you and I will miss you."
In another post, he explains that Kobe Bryant was more than just an athlete, he was "a family man". That was their greatest commonality. Bryant's daughter Gianna and his youngest daughter Me'Arah have the same birthday, according to O'Neal. "We love our families. Whenever we got together, I hugged his children as if they were my own, and he hugged my children as if they were his."