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Vanessa Bryant wishes 'Kobe and Gianna were here' for Lakers' NBA title win, Internet says he 'lives on forever'

The Lakers had dedicated their season win to Kobe who himself had secured five titles along with the team over his 20-year career

Vanessa Bryant was fondly remembering her late husband and daughter as the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title on Sunday night, October 11. Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant had been killed in a helicopter crash along with seven others in January. The Lakers had dedicated their season win to Kobe who himself had secured five titles along with the team over his 20-year career. 

Vanessa had taken to her Instagram handle to share a picture of her husband and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka as the Lakers won their 17th title with a 106-93 victory after playing the Miami Heat. Vanessa had written, "Congratulations Uncle P! Congratulations @Lakers Kobe was right … ‘stay the course- block out the noise."

"Wish Kobe and Gianna were here to see this," she added. Kobe's 13-year-old daughter Gianna was an extremely talented player herself with many predicting that she would have been a star player in the WNBA. Just earlier this month, the Lakers had paid tribute to Bryant when they sported jerseys designed by the legend for Game 5 of the NBA finals.

The group would also use his nickname when they would break huddles during the playoffs and shouted "1-2-3 Mamba!". After player Anthony Davis scored a game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Denver Nuggets during the Western Conference finals, he shouted the name 'Kobe!' and pounded his chest. 

After Sunday's game, Davis said, "Ever since the tragedy, all we wanted to do was do it for him, and we didn’t let him down. I know he’s looking down on us, proud of us. He was a big brother to all of us, and we did this for him."

Many social media users rallied behind Vanessa and took to the comments section to say so. One such user wrote, "Wish @kobebryant and @giannabryant were able to "Witness" the @Lakers championship prayers always for #VanessaBryant and her girl's. somehow I am seeing that unforgettable smile right now."

Another user posted, "She must be feeling sooo many emotions rn, can’t even imagine. it’s so bittersweet." Yet another user commented, "Best to you Vanessa Bryant and family... Kobe remains a great inspiration."

'Hopefully tonight’s #Lakers win and 17th Championship brought a big smile to #VanessaBryant and her daughters. Kobe lives on forever and his legacy will never be forgotten," said another Twitter user. Another who echoed the same sentiments chimed in, "My thoughts are wit Vanessa Bryant rn This win just brought back all the pain n hurt from losing Kobe again. It’s hard to celebrate when you can’t celebrate wit the ones you care for the most."

We had earlier reported how Vanessa was honoring her husband by promoting a new book that he helped create and publish through his Granity Studios. The book is the latest installment of the series which helps children learn lessons by combining Kobe’s love of basketball with the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise.

Kobe and Gianna are survived by Vanessa, and her daughters- Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.