Viral Claims Surface: Did Vanessa Bryant Bar NBA Stars from Kobe Bryant’s Funeral?

By Alex Rivera, Sports and Entertainment Correspondent
Los Angeles, CA – January 25, 2025

A resurfaced video claiming to reveal “new footage” of Vanessa Bryant personally excluding high-profile NBA players from Kobe Bryant’s 2020 memorial service has gone viral, reigniting debates about the late Lakers legend’s relationships and the Bryant family’s private grief. The 20-minute clip, which has amassed millions of views on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, alleges that Vanessa, Kobe’s widow, curated a tightly controlled guest list, barring several former teammates and rivals amid lingering feuds, betrayals, and personal slights. While the video cites anonymous sources, deleted posts, and eyewitness accounts, the Bryant family has not commented, and many claims remain unverified. The footage has divided fans, with some calling it a disrespectful intrusion into a family’s mourning and others viewing it as a window into the “Mamba Mentality” that defined Kobe’s unyielding standards.

Kobe Bryant’s memorial at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) on February 24, 2020, drew global attention following the tragic helicopter crash that killed him, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others. The event was an emotional outpouring, featuring tearful speeches from Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and others. But according to the viral narrative, behind the scenes, tensions simmered, with Vanessa allegedly wielding significant influence over who could pay their respects.

LeBron James: The Absent King and Alleged Spotlight Stealer

The video’s most explosive claim centers on LeBron James, the Lakers’ current superstar and Kobe’s symbolic successor. It alleges James was deliberately disinvited because Vanessa believed he overshadowed Kobe’s legacy on the night before the crash. James had just surpassed Kobe on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 29 points against the Clippers, a milestone some interpreted as a “torch-passing” moment. However, sources cited in the video claim Vanessa saw it as self-aggrandizement.

James’ absence from the public ceremony fueled speculation, amplified by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who in a recent podcast reflected on not previously questioning James’ no-shows at events like Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction. “I never brought up why you weren’t at Kobe’s memorial,” Smith said, implying a pattern of perceived disrespect. Fans online echoed this, with one viral tweet reading: “LeBron made Kobe’s night about LeBron. It was supposed to be torch-passing, not torch-stealing.”

James, who mourned privately and later called Kobe a “hero,” has not addressed the claims. Lakers insiders reportedly pushed for his inclusion to symbolize unity, but it never materialized. To many, his exclusion marked a fracture in the league’s brotherhood, raising questions about ego versus empathy in the wake of tragedy.

Shaquille O’Neal: From Feud to Reluctant Reconciliation

Shaq, Kobe’s three-time championship partner and self-proclaimed “little brother,” was nearly omitted entirely, the video claims. Despite their public reconciliation, a now-deleted post from a Lakers staffer allegedly revealed Vanessa initially left him off the list due to the duo’s infamous 2000s feud—marked by locker-room clashes, diss tracks, and ego battles that emotionally drained Kobe.

Insiders say Shaq personally lobbied Vanessa to speak, but was rebuffed until Kobe’s parents intervened, citing the dynasty they built. When Shaq took the stage, his eulogy was poignant: “Sometimes, like immature kids, we argued… But make no mistake, even when folks thought we were on bad terms, we’d wink and say, ‘Let’s go whoop some ass.'” The crowd laughed through tears, but the video suggests the invitation was a last-minute concession, not forgiveness. Post-memorial, Shaq told ESPN, “I lost a brother… and a piece of my soul,” hinting at unfinished business.

Derek Fisher and Dwight Howard: Betrayal and “Softness” Seal Their Fates

Derek Fisher, Kobe’s co-captain and five-time champion, reportedly arrived at Staples Center only to be turned away at the door for lacking a verified invitation. The video attributes this to “betrayal,” stemming from Fisher’s 2015 relationship with Matt Barnes’ ex-wife, which Kobe viewed as a violation of team loyalty. “Kobe hated drama,” an anonymous teammate told The Athletic. “Fisher became drama.” Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed called it “cold,” especially given Fisher’s iconic moments like the 0.4-second shot.

Dwight Howard, Kobe’s short-lived 2012 teammate, faced even harsher treatment. The video claims Vanessa instructed security to escort him out if he appeared uninvited, rooted in their public animosity. Kobe once called Howard “the softest big man I’d ever played with” after a heated game. Despite Howard’s emotional Instagram tribute, he was allegedly unaware of the date until it was too late. “I loved Kobe. He didn’t always love me back,” Howard later reflected. Fans dubbed it “Kobe’s final block.”

Carmelo Anthony and Nick Young: Friendships Tested by Exclusion

Carmelo Anthony, Kobe’s Olympic teammate and close friend, revealed on a now-deleted podcast that he “wasn’t invited” and “waited for the call” in vain. Their bond, forged during the 2008 Redeem Team, included Melo carrying Kobe’s shoes in Beijing. Yet, a Bryant source told the video’s creators that Vanessa prioritized “true brothers,” viewing Melo as respected but not family. Stephen A. Smith admitted surprise, while Melo later said on All the Smoke, “That funeral showed me who’s real.”

Nick “Swaggy P” Young, a fan-favorite Laker, was blacklisted over the 2015 D’Angelo Russell scandal, where a leaked video exposed Young’s infidelity. Kobe condemned it as “not Laker basketball,” reportedly telling officials, “Swaggy’s out.” Young’s cryptic Instagram post—”They never loved me FR, but I still lit a candle”—drew mixed reactions, symbolizing the post-Kobe era’s chaos.

Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom: Near-Misses and Heartbreak

Pau Gasol, whom Kobe called “like a brother,” faced a clerical error—or intentional oversight?—when his name was missing from the initial list. Security halted him at the entrance until Natalia Bryant, Kobe’s eldest daughter, intervened: “My dad would never do this to you.” The crowd applauded his entry, and Jordan praised Gasol in his speech. Gasol remains close to the family, coaching Gianna’s friends.

Lamar Odom, Kobe’s 2009-2010 championship sidekick, was excluded due to his addiction struggles. Despite crediting Kobe with saving his life—”You either die in embarrassment or get up”—Vanessa reportedly feared his presence would distract. Odom’s viral video tribute—”I miss you, Bean”—ended with, “I wasn’t invited and I get it, but it still hurts.”

Other Shocking Snubs: From Rivals to Mentors

The video lists additional exclusions:

D’Angelo Russell: Turned away for the Swaggy P leak, which Kobe saw as a “breach of man code.” A Lakers staffer confirmed: “Keep him off. Point blank.”
Karl Malone: Ghosted after 2004 rumors of inappropriate comments to Vanessa; Kobe confronted him, and the rift never healed.
Gary Payton: Excluded despite mentoring young Kobe; their 2004 clashes over work ethic lingered, with Kobe calling him a “clown.”
Smush Parker: Banned outright—Kobe once said he “shouldn’t have been in the league.” Parker’s tribute drew backlash: “You don’t get to mourn him now.”
Andrew Bynum: Rejected for immaturity; Kobe allegedly threatened to walk if he wasn’t traded.
Matt Barnes: Blocked after 2018 comments implying marital issues for Kobe and Vanessa.
Metta World Peace (Ron Artest): Not even informed of the date, despite his iconic 2010 Finals shot; he learned after the fact but held no grudge.

Fan Backlash and the Search for Truth

The video has sparked outrage, with Reddit threads and Twitter storms questioning the ethics of airing such personal drama five years later. “This is funeral politics at its worst,” one user wrote, while others defended Vanessa’s right to curate a healing space. Legal experts note that while guest lists are private, public speculation could invite defamation suits if claims prove false.

The Bryant family, through representatives, has historically declined comment on such rumors, emphasizing privacy. As the video circulates, it underscores Kobe’s complex legacy: a man who demanded excellence, forgave selectively, and left an indelible mark on those he deemed worthy. Whether these exclusions were Vanessa’s “revenge” or Kobe’s enduring code remains speculative—but in the Mamba’s world, respect was earned, not given. Fans continue to mourn, wondering if unity could have healed old wounds.