VIDEO: Magic Johnson, Jennifer Hudson and NBA Community Honor Kobe Bryant and David Stern Before All-Star Game
By Sean Facey
The basketball world had to endure a brutal start to 2020 when former NBA Commissioner David Stern passed away, and things only got more unbearable when Kobe Bryant tragically died as well. So to start the All-Star Game, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson led those in attendance in a moment of reflection on their lives and legacies.
Magic reflects on the losses of David Stern and Kobe Bryant before the NBA All-Star game. pic.twitter.com/r8fS0coGSL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2020
Johnson detailed the impact that both Stern and Bryant had on the NBA world and the people around them.
But he wasn't the only one to pay his respects. Iconic singer Jennifer Hudson put on a phenomenal pregame performance to honor Kobe and his daughter, Gianna.
Jennifer Hudson sang her heart out in a tribute to Kobe and Gigi ? pic.twitter.com/XVATcBBkyI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2020
Johnson's words and Hudson's singing highlight how deeply personal the loss of Bryant is to the basketball community. He inspired a generation of NBA stars to be like him, thus molding the league into what it is today.
Common delivers a powerful tribute to the city of Chicago and Kobe Bryant ✊ pic.twitter.com/RBSB6poeqO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2020
Nothing will ever be able to bring them back, but it's tributes like these that ensure that their legacies will carry on indefinitely.