Two days after the tragic death ofKobe Bryant, his former teammate,Shaquille O’Neal,led fans gathered outside of the Staples Center in a spontaneous “Kobe” chant.
Footageof the heartwarming moment from Tuesday night shows O’Neal, 47, walking out to cheers from the crowd after hisemotional appearanceon a TNT pre-game special. In the clip, the basketball legend raises a finger to quiet everyone gathered outside of the arena, then begins chanting “Kobe! Kobe!” as the crowd joins in.
O’Neal, along with NBA greatsDwyane Wade,Charles Barkleyand Kenny Smith, had gathered at the Staples Center on Tuesday for a tribute to Bryant, whodiedalongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player wasvisibly emotionalon the pre-game special when recalling his time with Bryant. After struggling to keep his composure, O’Neal eventually broke down in tears and said he “didn’t want to believe it” when he first heard the news of his friend’s death.
“I haven’t felt a pain that sharp in a while,” he said, before reflecting on all of the things he would never be able to do with Bryant again.
“We’re not going to be able to joke at his Hall of Fame Ceremony,” he said. “Those are the things you can’t get back.”
O’Neal continued: “That’s the only thing, I wish I could just say something to him again.”
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
“I wish wewould have communicated more,” O’Neal revealed on the Monday episode. “That’s just how we are. Of course, when we saw each other it was love and respect and you know looking out for the kids. His daughter Gigi was a fabulous player. I just wish I could have talked to him before, that’s it … I just wish he was here. I wish I could say something to him.”
Just hours after news of Bryant’s death broke, O’Neal shared a heartbreaking tribute, pulling together a series of photos from the duo’s time playing together on the Lakers team.
David S. Sherman/Getty Images
“There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of loosing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie,” O’Nealwrote on Instagram. “I love you brother and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW!”
Bryant and his daughter died alongside the helicopter’spilot Ara Zobayan,Sarah and Payton Chester,Christina Mauser,John Altobelliand his wife,Keri Altobelli,and their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli.
source: people.com
