Kobe Bryant’s former head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, released a statement Sunday after Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people died in a helicopter crash.
A number of NBA head coaches, executives and team governors paid their respects to Bryant on Sunday after learning of his death.
Bryant and Jackson won five titles together between 1999-10, including three in a row during the Shaquille O’Neal years and two in a row with Pau Gasol as Bryant’s running mate.
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Under Jackson, Bryant won one league MVP, two Finals MVPs, went to 12 All-Star Games and was an All-NBA First Team selection nine times.
While Bryant and Jackson had a complicated relationship during their time together, Bryant said in 2017 that he would want either Michael Jordan or Jackson to present him into the Hall of Fame.
Flip the Page to See Phil’s message:
