Vanessa Bryant posing with Kobe Bryant and their daughtersKobe Bryant and his family (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, has offered a heartwarming tribute to their daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, on what would have been her 18th birthday.

Vanessa Bryant Honors Late Daughter Gianna on Her 18th Birthday | Us Weekly

Kobe and Gigi shockingly died in a tragic helicopter crash that claimed seven other lives in 2020.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star, who retired in 2016, had dedicated his time to his daughters after calling curtains on his career in 2016. Gigi was keen on following her dad’s footsteps and becoming a professional basketball player, with dreams of playing for UConn and moving up to the WNBA.

Kobe fully supported that dream and coached her youth basketball team. They were flying to her basketball game when they died on January 26, 2020.

As mentioned above, this Wednesday would have been her 18th birthday. Her mom took to social media to wish her late daughter a happy birthday.

“Happy birthday to my gorgeous girl, Gigi!” She said in an Instagram post.

“I love you. I miss you. I’m so proud of you. You continue to motivate me and inspire young women and girls daily.”

Vanessa Bryant Honored Her Daughter With A Touching Video Tribute

Vanessa Bryant also noted that 2024 would have been the year her daughter would have graduated from high school and chosen a college to attend, though she claims she would have tried to get her to stay close to home.

“2024 was your year. You would’ve been graduating high school and choosing which college to go to,” she wrote.

Kobe’s former team is planning to add Gigi to Kobe’s statues outside their Crypto.com Arena. There is also a bronze statue at the crash site honoring them both.

Celtics’ Jrue Holiday Has Honest One-Word Strategy To stop Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving in Finals

Jrue Holiday shares strategy for Kyrie IrvingKyrie Irving and Jrue Holiday (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are heading to the NBA Finals to face the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying their status as one of the most consistent teams in the last five NBA seasons. While the Mavericks may be wary of the formidable duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ Jrue Holiday has expressed great concern about the Mavericks’ guard, Kyrie Irving.

During a recent press conference, Holiday was asked about his team’s strategy to stop Irving. Without hesitation, he responded with one word: “Pray.”

The eight-time All-Star has often left opponents scrambling to devise effective strategies against him on the court. His move to the Mavericks has amplified his potential to disrupt defensive plans with his improved athleticism and seasoned play.

In this year’s two regular-season games against Boston, Kobe Bryant’s mentee averaged 21 points and 2.5 assists, shooting 42 percent from the field.

Moreover, Irving averaged 27.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in the five-game series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Can Kyrie Irving Shine in NBA Finals?

Jrue Holiday recognizes that Kyrie Irving is not just a standout player during the regular season or playoffs. He has also proven himself on the grandest stage. Irving’s performance with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most.

During the 2016 NBA Finals, Irving perfectly complemented LeBron James. In Game 5, Irving scored an impressive 41 points, helping to extend the series and keep the Cavaliers’ championship hopes alive.

One of the most unforgettable moments for Irving’s fans is his decisive play in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. With just 53 seconds remaining, Irving hit a go-ahead 3-pointer over Stephen Curry. It ultimately sealed the victory for the Cavaliers and secured their place in NBA history.

Throughout the seven games of the 2016 NBA Finals, Irving averaged 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.