Michael Jordan delivers tearful tribute to “little brother” Kobe Bryant

By Cortney Wills

·February 24, 2020

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Michael Jordan just spoke at the memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant and the NBA legend let his tears flow throughout the heartfelt tribute.

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“Maybe it surprised people … but we were very close friends,” he said. “Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe.”

Michael Jordan said Kobe Bryant was like a little brother whose constant questions were sometimes a “nuisance” but ultimately based on love.

“At first, it was an aggravation…But then it turned into a certain passion. This kid had passion like you would never know,” Jordan said. “He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be,” Jordan continued. “And as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”

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The legendary superstar didn’t try to fight the tears that were flowing down his face throughout the speech.

“I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this because I didn’t want to see this for another three or four years,” he joked. “This is what Kobe Bryant does to you.”

Check out the emotional speech below: