Tearful Michael Jordan commemorates public memorial for Kobe Bryant

People walk past a mural before the public memorial for NBA great Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others killed in a helicopter crash, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2020. (Source: Reuters)

Fans wait in line before the public memorial service at Staples Center. (Source: Reuters)

"He was my everything," Bryant's widow Vanessa said of Bryant, who joined the NBA at age 18 straight out of high school, was a five-time champion and fourth-highest scorer in league history with 33,643 points. "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other," Vanessa Bryant said, referring to her husband and daughter. "He had to bring them home to heaven together." (Source: Reuters)

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant teammate Shaquille O'Neal were among the Basketball Hall of Famers who attended the memorial, which opened with a performance by singer Beyonce and a montage of Bryant's on-court highlights. (Source: Reuters)

Michael Jordan says he didn't see Kobe Bryant as his rival for the mythical honor of being recognized as the best basketball player ever. Instead, he came to love Bryant as the little brother he never had, and as a student eager to learn from Jordan's experiences and skills. (Source: Reuters)

Fans gather at a public memorial viewing for NBA great Kobe Bryant (Source: Reuters)

Singer Cristina Aguilera performs during the memorial (Source: Reuters)

Fans watching the public memorial viewing. (Source: Reuters)

Artist Thomas Clark paints a tribute during a public memorial viewing for NBA great Kobe Bryant, his daughter (Source: Reuters)

Fans gather around a mural of late NBA great Kobe Bryant (Source: Reuters)

A mural of late NBA great Kobe Bryant is pictured during the public memorial (Source: Reuters)

Fans gather outside Staples Center after attending the memorial (Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports)

Residents wait for a bus with a mural of Kobe Bryant painted on the wall behind them in Koreatown. Today was the celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant at Staples Center. (Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)