Kobe Bryant memorial: Magic Johnson mourns NBA legend's death, says it will take years to 'get over his passing'
Former Los Angeles Lakers player and legend Magic Johnson has opened up about his feelings on Kobe Bryant's death as the city prepares to bid farewell to the 41-year-old and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Kobe, Gianna, and seven others lost their lives after the helicopter carrying them crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas, California, on January 26, and Johnson admitted it would be difficult to sum up the basketballer's career and impact in just a few words.
Speaking after the Lakers' 114-112 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday at the Staples Center, Johnson said, "It's hard in a two-minute, five-minute time to say everything he meant to the world, to the NBA, and to basketball fans. He's bigger than life."
"And it will take years to get over his passing and his daughter and the seven other people who lost their lives as well."
Johnson praised Celtics Hall of Famer Russell for putting aside his team's heated rivalry with the Lakers — considered NBA's biggest rivalry, the teams have 33 league championships between them and have met face-to-face in 12 finals — and wearing Kobe's No. 24 jersey, as well as a hat with the initials 'KB' notched inside a gold heart.
He also thanked fans who had left Kobe memorabilia at various sites outside the Staples Center, Mamba Sports Academy, and Lakers' practice facility.
"Jeanie (the Lakers' controlling owner) and the Lakers, as well as AEG, have done a wonderful job working with the fans who were leaving flowers and everything they left," he said. "Everybody has really come together in trying to make sure that we’re going to say goodbye, say goodbye in their own way."
"Kobe was living his best life after basketball. It's going to be hard for the city to move on."
Lakers star LeBron James had spoken about Kobe's death before the Lakers took the court for their first game after his death on January 31 and told reporters the tragedy had provided him a reminder of life's priorities.
He spoke again after the Celtics game, addressing the "Celebration of Life" memorial ceremony that is set to take place at the Staples Center on Monday, February 24.
"I’ve talked about it," he said. "It’s been a celebration — ever since we got the horrific news — about his life and what he means to the game. I don’t want to keep going back on it. I think it’s unfair and unjust to his family as they try to move on, and we’re all trying to move on. Also, know that he’s with us. His jersey is sitting in my locker right now. It just puts me in a difficult mind’s state when I continue to harp on it if you can respect that."
"Tomorrow is going to be tough again, but we have to make sure we stay in the moment," said Lakers forward Anthony Davis. "When it's time to grieve, we grieve. When it's time to line up between the lines, we do what he'd want us to do."
The memorial will start at around 10 am PT (1 pm ET) and is expected to last three hours, though the family has kept details about speakers and attendees closely under wraps.