NBA fans were handed a quick and unfortunate dose of reality during the opening minutes of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary Sunday night.
Episode 5 began with former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant discussing the role Michael Jordan played in his career, while also showcasing some NBA All-Star Game clips where Jordan and Bryant went head to head.
Bryant, of course, died in a tragic helicopter crash in January. And with NBA fans still feeling a sense of grief, they shared those emotions on Twitter on Sunday:
Damn, Kobe in The Last Dance is hitting me 😢 pic.twitter.com/Tk6GGHBpud
— EvPickz | Ev Singleton (@EvGuyBoston) May 4, 2020
When Kobe said “I wouldn’t have won 5 championships without the help and advice of Michael Jordan” #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/piaFzd5vrA
— KJIV (@TheproducerKj) May 4, 2020
Seeing Kobe on The Last Dance had me like #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/zwc9IyXQmQ
— J 🦂 (@YungNitty__) May 4, 2020
Seeing Kobe in #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/uzP0aaGyqx
— KopacetiK7 (@1NUPEunderGod) May 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/isaacpwilson/status/1257116755811381248
My eyes just welled up with tears, hearing Kobe’s voice and seeing him talk about Jordan #TheLastDance
— Bridget Kelly (@IamBridgetKelly) May 4, 2020
Ugh was not ready to see Kobe 💔 #TheLastDance
— Dr. Seema Yasmin is barely on here (@DoctorYasmin) May 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/_MorantSZN/status/1257113941857185798
It’s hard to watch Kobe talk about Michael (He couldn’t have been interviewed too many months before he died) and then see David Stern hand him the 1998 All-Star Game MVP trophy. Still surreal. #LastDance
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 4, 2020
When Kobe comes on in the first 5 minutes#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/r39DItH9Mi
— Tyler (@TylerHerrick) May 4, 2020
Kobe should be watching with us all 🙏🏽 #LastDance @SONTHoops pic.twitter.com/L6xb1kmnui
— the Sports ON Tap (@thesportsontap) May 4, 2020
Man I’m bout to shed a tear watching Kobe on #TheLastDance 😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/6AcCrOIuAS
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 4, 2020
Even a couple of NBA players shared their emotions.
😥😥😥😥 that intro just tore me apart man. Man I wish Kobe was here to see this man. Thank you for sharing that beautiful and special footage Mike! We miss you Bean❤️🙏🏽! #TheLastDance
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) May 4, 2020
Miss u Kobe.. #TheLastDance
— Dzanan Musa (@DzMusa) May 4, 2020
Unfortunately, we’re not sure if, or when, Bryant’s death will set in either.
