For a generation of NBA players, Kobe Bryant was to them what Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson were to the generations before. For those that grew up in California, he was an idol, a symbol of basketball dominance.
As Chino Hills natives, the Ball brothers grew up during the prime of Kobe Bryant’s career. It should come as no surprise, then, that the brothers were as rocked by Sunday’s passing of Bryant in a helicopter crash – along with daughter Gianna and seven others – as everyone else.
Lonzo Ball offered his tribute by writing messages on his shoes for the Pelicans’ game against Boston. At the start of Sunday’s game, both the Pelicans and Celtics honored Bryant by taking 24-second shot clock violations in honor of Bryant’s jersey, No. 24.
LaMelo, whose season with the Illawarra Hawks is over, took to Twitter Sunday afternoon to share his thoughts after finding out of his passing.
jus waking up in australia…🤧 mannnn this hurts a lot and don’t even feel real sending prayers and love out to everybody rn and if u reading this i miss/love you life is way to short not too 🤞🏼💕 R.I.P kobe #FOREVER24
— Melo (@MELOD1P) January 26, 2020
After having time to process the matter, Ball would later share a more heartfelt video on Instagram late Sunday night/early Monday morning.
LiAngelo, who is currently with the OKC Blue as a practice player in the G League, shared his reaction on his Instagram story.
Like most of us, the Ball brothers all found the news shocking and saddening as the NBA lost a true icon and legend on Sunday.
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