Jazz, Lakers Fans Pay Respects To Kobe Bryant In Front Of Vivint Smart Home Arena

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The city of Los Angeles wasn’t the only area impacted by the loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The future Hall of Famer had an impact around the entire world.

In Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz fans along with Laker fans brought flowers, jersey’s, candles and memorabilia to the Jazz note statue on the north east side of Vivint Smart Home Arena.

KSL Sports caught up with two fans as they brought things to the statue to pay tribute to the passing of Kobe Bryant after he and 8 others died in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning.

Luis Rivera became a fan of the Lakers after seeing someone wearing a No. 8 Kobe Bryant jersey and followed his career ever since. He was very emotional about the passing of Bryant.

“He has been my favorite player since I started watching basketball. I saw the number 8 jersey and asked who that was and I followed his career ever since,” Rivera said. “I saw him here against the Jazz many times and watched him on TV. To hear this, it really hurts. I was in tears yesterday (Sunday). Even now (Monday), it’s hard to talk about it. He was one of my favorite players ever.”

The shrine outside @vivintarena continues to grow. pic.twitter.com/6I3bScR1B6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2020

His best friend “King Moe” was with Rivera at the statue at the Jazz arena to pay their respects to Bryant. Moe is a Jazz fan but was also a fan of LeBron James. He said that he had a love/hate relationship with Kobe Bryant.

“As best friends growing up, he would always be Kobe when we played against each other and I would always be LeBron,” King Moe said. “I had that love/hate relationship (with Kobe) because I am a Jazz fan. When he (Kobe) used to beat us (Jazz) I would get upset. But, when he retired you realized the greatness in him. He made me realize that you don’t truly appreciate something until you lose it. I was shocked by the news and couldn’t process it.”

Moe went on to say that Rivera would always play pickup basketball in the red All-Star jersey with Bryant’s No. 8. Rivera brought that jersey to the statue in front of Vivint Smart Home Arena with the many other items that other fans have brought.