SI.com · Feb 24, 2020
Kobe Bryant's Legacy Isn’t A Closed Book
For those who loved, knew, or idolized him, Kobe Bryant’s memorial was beautiful, cathartic, funny, and moving. It was also a little strange, seeing people usually kept at an arm’s distance from the public openly grieving a loved one. The vulnerability on stage at Staples Center on 2/24 was the most arresting aspect of the farewell to Kobe. Seeing Michael Jordan freely weep as he talked about his “little brother.” Or witnessing Vanessa Bryant sharing deeply personal stories about her husband to a global audience. It all still feels a little detached from reality as the people who knew Kobe best tried to quantify the impact he had within his world.