LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):12:20 p.m.NBA legend Michael Jordan said at a public memorial that “when Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died.” He said Monday at the Staples Center that a piece of everyone in the crowd died as well. He urged people to use the inspiration of Bryant’s life for their own. Jordan said once when he made a visit to the Lakers locker room, Kobe asked him, “Did you bring your shoes?” Jordan said it was just a social call, but Bryant was ready for one-on-one.He said to “rest in peace, little brother," getting a standing ovation as he left the stage.Mourners packed the Staples Center to remember Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the others who died last month in a helicopter crash.___12:15 p.m.Tears streaming down his face, NBA legend Michael Jordan said at a public memorial that he thought of Kobe Bryant as a little brother.Jordan joked Monday that like little brothers,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a sold-out memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.Speaking at times through tears, Vanessa Bryant praised her husband's devotion as she addressed thousands of fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna.“God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said. “He had to bring them home to have them together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi.”The service took place at the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career.The ceremony began with Beyonce performing her songs “XO” and “Halo" with dozens dozens of backup musicians. Alicia Keys performed Beethoven's “Moonlight Sonata” later in the program.After Jimmy Kimmel welcomed the crowd, Vanessa Bryant remembered the family's life with... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):12 p.m.Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Kobe’s last texts to him came shortly before a helicopter crash killed the NBA superstar and eight others.Pelinka said Monday at a public memorial that Bryant wanted his help to secure an internship for a daughter of his friend John Altobelli, who also died in the crash.He called Bryant’s last act “heroic.” Pelinka says Bryant wanted to “use his platform to bless and shape a young girl’s future.” Pelinka said the NBA legend’s famous “Mamba mentality” extended to his roles as friend, father and husband.Pelinka described how Bryant accomplished whatever he set his mind to, including learning to play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on piano. Then he introduced Alicia Keys, who performed a version of the sonata.Mourners packed the Staples Center to remember Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the others who died last... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):11:25 a.m.WNBA great Diana Taurasi has told the crowd at Kobe Bryant’s public memorial that watching the Lakers star play inspired her.Bryant, who was known as the “Black Mamba,” nicknamed Taurasi the “White Mamba.”Taurasi says Bryant had a competitive fire that ran through his veins and a willingness to work hard.Monday’s memorial for Bryant and his daughter Gianna has drawn a sellout crowd to Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.The event began with Beyonce singing her hits “XO” and “Halo.” An emotional Jimmy Kimmel told the audience about the many Kobe murals that have appeared around the city since his death last month.Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, brought tears to people’s eyes as she spoke, giving an intimate portrait of her husband and daughter.___11:10 a.m.Vanessa Bryant has given mourners at a public memorial for Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a sold-out memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.Speaking at time through tears, Vanessa Bryant praised her husband's devotion as she addressed thousands of fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna.“God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said. “He had to bring them home to have them together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi.”The service took place at the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career.The ceremony began with Beyonce performing her songs “XO” and “Halo" with dozens dozens of backup musicians.After Jimmy Kimmel welcomed the crowd, Vanessa Bryant remembered the family's life with Gianna and her three siblings and then eulogized her husband. They had been... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):10:55 a.m.A host of NBA greats past and present are mourning at the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.Jerry West, Phil Jackson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Pau Gasol and Steph Curry are among the crowd at Staples Center on Monday.Late night host Jimmy Kimmel introduced Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.An emotional Vanessa thanked the crowd for coming, saying she’s received an outpouring of love.Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others were killed last month in a helicopter crash in foggy weather while heading to a basketball tournament that Gianna was to play in.___10:55 a.m.Late night host Jimmy Kimmel says at a public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna that the world could be “grateful for the time we had with them."An emotional Kimmel said Monday that a... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mourners gathered Monday in downtown Los Angeles to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, arriving hours before the start of a sold-out memorial service for the basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter.The service took place at the Staples Center, the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career. Bryant and his daughter were among nine people killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.The ceremony began with Beyonce performing her songs “XO” and “Halo" with dozens dozens of backup musicians.Among the early arriving fans was Alyssa Shapiro, 27, of Huntington Beach, who said she was inspired to become a basketball player after watching countless Lakers games with her father.The family’s love of the game — and Bryant’s work in women’s sports — prompted her to become a middle school girls’ basketball coach. Her team had played Gianna’s team and she would watch Bryant cheer for his daughter in the stands.Holding... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mourners gathered Monday in downtown Los Angeles to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, hours before a sold-out memorial service for the basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter was scheduled to start.The service was to take place at the Staples Center, the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for two decades. The two were among nine people killed in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.Among the early arriving fans was Alyssa Shapiro, 27, of Huntington Beach, who said she was inspired to become a basketball player after watching countless Lakers games with her father.The family’s love of the game — and Bryant’s work in women’s sports — prompted her to become a middle school girls’ basketball coach. Her team had played Gianna’s team and she would watch Bryant cheer for his daughter in the stands.Holding homemade heart-shaped “Kobe” and “Gigi” signs, she said she went up to Bryant to introduce herself at a game.“I just wanted to thank him for being such... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):10 a.m.Los Angeles Lakers fans are pulling on commemorative T-shirts they were given of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at a public memorial for the two, who were killed along with seven others in a helicopter crash last month. Many fans are violating the cellphone use ban inside Staples Arena on Monday and are taking photos and videos. It’s somber and people are chatting in whispers and leafing through programs from their seats as songs like Eric Clapton’s “Layla,” the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” play in the minutes before the formal ceremony starts. The memorial will feature speakers reflecting on Bryant's impact on basketball and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant's on-court achievements.___9:45 a.m.Los Angeles Lakers fans are filing into Staples Center to remember Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):9:45 a.m.Los Angeles Lakers fans are filing into Staples Center to remember Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who were killed along with seven others in a helicopter crash last month.The arena where Bryant played features a stage surrounded by thousands of red roses below the scoreboard that's showing images of Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter.Fans arriving for Monday’s public memorial service are being given a program that only contains photos, a purple KB pin and a T-shirt with photos of the father and daughter.The concourse is a sea of purple, gold and black clothing.Dozens of fans took photos with a mural inside Staples Center of Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal after a championship win. Janel Alexander of Encino said the mural brought back good memories of “a moment in time that was better than today.” ___8:40 a.m.While waiting for Kobe Bryant's memorial... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):8:40 a.m.While waiting for Kobe Bryant's memorial services to begin in Los Angeles, Alyssa Shapiro says she was inspired to become a basketball player after watching countless Lakers games with her father, Rick Shapiro. The family’s love of the game and Bryant’s work in women’s sports prompted her to become a middle school girls’ basketball coach. Her team played the team of Bryant's daughter Gianna, who died with her father and seven others in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.Alyssa Shapiro said before the memorial service Monday for Bryant and his daughter that she watched Bryant cheer for Gianna from the stands. She held homemade heart-shaped “Kobe” and “Gigi” signs ahead of the memorial service and said she “just wanted to thank him for being such an inspiration to me.”___7:30 a.m.Fans are arriving hours early for the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):7:30 a.m.Fans are arriving hours early for the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna that will be held in downtown Los AngelesAmong them is 72-year-old Bob Melendez, who says he has been a Lakers season ticket holder for 40 years.Melendez says that after seeing Bryant play for many years he couldn't imagine missing Monday's memorial at Staples Center. His friend Tom Ling says he couldn't believe it when heard of Bryant's death.Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.The memorial is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Los Angeles time.___12: 30 a.m.Thousands of mourners are expected to gather at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant.The basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter will be honored in a public memorial at the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers.Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven others on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.The memorial will feature speakers reflecting on Kobe Bryant's impact on his sport and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant's on-court achievements. Bryant became active in film, television and writing after he retired from basketball in 2016.Bryant's family, dozens of sports greats and many major figures in Bryant's public life are expected to attend.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mourners began gathering Monday in downtown Los Angeles to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the Staples Center, hours before Bryant's memorial service was scheduled to startThe basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter will be honored in a public memorial at the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven others in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.Early arriving fans included Bob Melendez, 72, who has been a season ticket holder for 40 years. After seeing Bryant play for the Lakers for years — including at his retirement game — Melendez said he could not imagine missing the memorial. Melendez and friends Tom Ling, Rene Vega and Brett Noss said they wanted to pay their respects to the Bryant family. Vega said his grandchildren and Bryant’s children attend the same school. Bryant called Vega “Grandpa” and snuck up behind him and pick him up. Ling, wearing a silver No. 8 jersey, said he couldn’t believe... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in downtown Los Angeles (all times local):7:30 a.m.Fans are arriving hours early for the public memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna that will be held in downtown Los AngelesAmong them is 72-year-old Bob Melendez, who says he has been a Lakers season ticket holder for 40 years.Melendez says that after seeing Bryant play for many years he couldn't imagine missing Monday's memorial at Staples Center. His friend Tom Ling says he couldn't believe it when heard of Bryant's death.Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.The memorial is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Los Angeles time.___12: 30 a.m.Thousands of mourners are expected to gather at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant.The basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter will be honored in a public memorial at the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers.Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven others on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.The memorial will feature speakers reflecting on Kobe Bryant's impact on his sport and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant's on-court achievements. Bryant became active in film, television and writing after he retired from basketball in 2016.Bryant's family, dozens of sports greats and many major figures in Bryant's public life are expected to attend.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thousands of mourners will gather in Staples Center on Monday to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant.The basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter will be honored in a public memorial at the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers.Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven others on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.The Celebration of Life will feature speakers reflecting on Kobe Bryant's impact on his sport and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant's on-court achievements. Bryant became active in film, television and writing after he retired from basketball in 2016.Bryant's family, dozens of sports greats and many major figures in Bryant's public life are expected to attend. Staples Center is sold out for the memorial. The money made from ticket sales will be given to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports programs in underserved communities and teaches sports to girls and women.Bryant played his... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade went through a long list of thank-yous as he delivered a 20-minute speech at his jersey retirement ceremony Saturday night, mentioning everyone from his business manager and the Miami Heat ball boys to Pat Riley.“I could have gone on for an hour,” Wade said following the ceremony at halftime of the Heat's 124-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. “This is about me for sure, but this is about all of us at the same time — the city of Miami, teammates over the years, everyone who has sacrificed, rooted and cried. We all did this together. I didn’t do this by myself.”Wade's wife helped to hoist his No. 3 jersey to the rafters, where it joined the retired jerseys of four other Heat players — Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Bosh. The ceremony was the centerpiece in a three-day celebration of Wade's 16-year NBA career, which included three championship seasons with the Heat. Wade, who now lives in Los Angeles, returned to the arena for the first... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade went through a long list of thank-yous as he delivered a 20-minute speech at his jersey retirement ceremony Saturday night, mentioning everyone from his business manager and the Miami Heat ball boys to Pat Riley.“I could have gone on for an hour,” Wade said following the ceremony at halftime of the Heat's 124-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. “This is about me for sure, but this is about all of us at the same time — the city of Miami, teammates over the years, everyone who has sacrificed, rooted and cried. We all did this together. I didn’t do this by myself.”Wade's wife helped to hoist his No. 3 jersey to the rafters, where it joined the retired jerseys of four other Heat players — Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Bosh. The ceremony was the centerpiece in a three-day celebration of Wade's 16-year NBA career, which included three championship seasons with the Heat. Wade, who now lives in Los Angeles, returned to the arena for the first... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers that was postponed following Kobe Bryant's death has been rescheduled for April 9.The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 28, two days after Bryant's death in a helicopter crash.The Lakers will play at home on three straight nights in early April as a result of several changes to accommodate the rescheduled game.Their game against Golden State originally scheduled for April 9 will be played April 7, while their game against Chicago set for April 7 will be played April 8.Lakers coach Frank Vogel and his staff will create a plan for managing that heavy work schedule when the games get closer. The Lakers returned from the All-Star break on Friday night with a 4 1/2-game lead atop the Western Conference at 41-12.“The No. 1 priority is us going into the playoffs healthy and fresh, so we may stagger some of the guys that play,” Vogel said. “Some guys may not play in all three games. We’ll have those conversations as we get closer to those games and see what the standings look like.”The NBA also rescheduled the Clippers' game against Chicago from April 8 to April 6.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Kawhi Leonard made it look effortless, nailing one 3-pointer after another and nearly matching an All-Star Game record.The tough part came afterward. Finding the right words to express how he felt after becoming the first Kobe Bryant MVP award winner wasn't so easy.Leonard scored 30 points and hit eight 3-pointers to lead Team LeBron to a 157-155 victory over Team Giannis on Sunday night.He was presented the MVP trophy that the league renamed after Bryant on Saturday, three weeks after the Lakers great and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the nine people killed when their helicopter crashed near Los Angeles. “It's very special,” Leonard said. “Like I said, I had a relationship with him. Words can't explain how happy I am for it. Able to put that trophy in my room, in my trophy room, and just be able to see Kobe's name on there, it just means a lot to me. He's a big inspiration in my life. He did a lot for me.”Bryant had a huge presence over the first All-Star festivities... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — It has become one of the NBA’s most revered traditions: On the morning of the NBA All-Star Game, the league pays tribute to retired players with what is called the Legends Brunch. It brings together about 3,000 guests, and every year a recent retiree with ties to the game’s host city is honored.When the game was in Los Angeles two years ago, the NBA wanted to honor Kobe Bryant.He declined. He couldn’t attend. His reason: his daughter Gianna Bryant had a game that morning.“That said, to us, everything about his priorities,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Sunday as he recalled that conversation with Bryant.This All-Star weekend was Michael Jordan’s longtime home of Chicago, highlighted by a game where LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo served as captains — but it was, predictably and understandably, overshadowed by the mourning of Bryant.Jennifer Hudson, wearing the Lakers' deep purple, performed a pregame tribute to Bryant and sang “For All We Know." Players on James’... [More]