Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa led congratulations for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night after the late sportsman’s former team beat Miami Heat to take home the NBA Championship title.
It was the team’s first win of the championship in over a decade but, as they celebrated, the memory of their former teammate – who was killed in a helicopter crash alongside daughter Gianna in January – was on their minds.
“I know he’s looking down on us, proud of us,” Anthony Davis said after the game. “I know Vanessa’s proud of us. The organization’s proud of us. It means a lot to us. It’s a tough moment… He was a big brother to us. We did this for him.”
Vanessa was quick to share her congratulations for the team, posting a snap of Kobe and Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka as she wrote: “Go Lakers! Congratulations Uncle P! Congratulations @lakers. Kobe was right, RP! ‘Stay the course– block out the noise.’ @kobebryant.”
“Wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this,” she concluded, adding a red heart emoji.
Pau Gasol and Rick Fox were among the other sports stars dedicating the Lakers’ win to Kobe.