LeBron James Praises ‘Strong’ Vanessa Bryant Amid Rumors He Didn’t Attend Kobe Bryant’s Memorial

Vanessa Bryant has been very outspoken about her appreciation for the outpouring of love and support for her late husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter, Gianna.

“One thing I can come out of it saying is how strong and how bold and how powerful Vanessa [Bryant] is,” LeBron James said at the Los Angeles Lakers’ shootaround on Tuesday (Feb. 25), according to Sports Illustrated.

LeBron James has spoken out about Monday’s event, which honored his late friend, Kobe Bryant, and Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.

Kobe Bryant's former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal on Monday took the stage at Staples Center to pay tribute to the late NBA legend during an emotional memorial service. "Like all of you, I continue to be devastated over the loss of my friend, my little brother, Kobe Bryant, and my beautiful niece Gigi," O'Neal said, adding that "all of us were forever changed" after the Jan.

It was a heartbreaking day for Vanessa Bryant, but those around her made sure to offer their support. 

Fans paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant with a celebration of life service on Monday.  Attendees arrived at the Los Angeles Staples Center—often referred to as "the house that Kobe built"—in their Lakers team attire and were given booklets featuring photos of the Bryant family.  The date of the public memorial—2/24/20—held significance for the Bryant family. Two and 24 represented the numbers that appeared on Gianna's and Kobe's basketball jerseys, respectively.

The late Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant was teary-eyed as she paid a heartfelt tribute to her husband and 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Vanessa Bryant for the first time post her husband and daughter's tragic death spoke in public at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Fans around the world tuned in to see Monday's "A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant," the moving and star-studded tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Vanessa Bryant was at a loss for words when she approached the podium to speak Monday at the memorial for Kobe and Gianna. As she began to cry, the 20,000 people who packed into Los Angeles' Staples Center began to cheer her on, which is when she began her speech.

Los Angeles is lit in purple and gold tonight as the memorial service for LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi takes place.

Vanessa Bryant gave a nearly 20-minute speech in front of a packed house at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to honor the lives of her husband and daughter, who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

Shaquille O'Neal will never forget his special teammate. During Monday's celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, many speakers from the basketball community were able to share their fond memories of the Los Angeles Lakers player.

Alicia Keys is celebrating the life of Kobe Bryant through her musical talents.  During Monday morning's celebration of life ceremony for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball player and his daughter Gianna Bryant, Alicia performed a special song, described as one of Kobe and wife Vanessa Bryant's "favorite numbers," inside the Staples Center.

Alicia Keys' tribute to Kobe Bryant during the "Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant" service was beautiful.