Chris Paul finally broke his silence on the death of Kobe Bryant.
Like many others from around the NBA, Paul took to Instagram to post a heartfelt and emotional tribute to the former Lakers star.
Paul also posted a slideshow of pictures of himself with Kobe throughout the years.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully process it. My parents have always said everything happens for a reason and its in God’s plan. But this one is different. Broken fingers, torn Achilles, it didn’t matter. You overcame it all!! You were DIFFERENT! Sometimes we competed so hard against each other that you could never tell how I was always watching YOU!! I needed to see how much better I needed to get and how much harder I needed to work! The love you had for the game was nowhere near the love you had for YOUR girls!! All 5 of them!! And Gigi, who we had already prearranged her marriage with lil Chris, is as beautiful and feisty as she could ever be!!! As I’ve watched you in retirement, as happy as you’ve ever been, I’ve sat back and prayed and hoped that my baby girl will look at me the way Gigi looks at you!!! I Love You and will miss you with all my heart my brother!!! All my love to Vanessa and all the families during this time 🙏🏾 #Mamba4Life #Mambacita
Paul did not play in Monday night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks for personal reasons. Though Billy Donovan did not elaborate on the situation, many have assumed that Paul, who was not with the team, was grieving the loss of his friend.
Thousands of friends and fans have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant since the former NBA superstar was killed, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning.
The Thunder took a 24-second violation on their opening possession on Monday to honor the No. 24 worn by Bryant in the second half of his career. The Mavs, who won the tip, took an 8-second violation to start the game, honor the No. 8 Kobe wore to start his career.
Paul has given no indication as to whether or not he will be back with the team for their game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.