Vanessa Bryant Congratulates Lakers After Winning NBA Championship: 'Wish Kobe And Gianna Were Here'

Vanessa Bryant celebrated the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory after the team won the NBA championship against the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Vanessa's late husband Kobe Bryant played for the team throughout his entire 20-year career. She shared an old photo of Kobe and Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka in her Instagram Story to mark the event.

"Congratulations Uncle P! Congratulations @Lakers Kobe was right RP 'stay the course- block out the noise' - @kobebryant," she wrote as quoted by People.

"Wish Kobe and Gianna were here to see this," Vanessa added.

The Lakers dedicated the season to Kobe after he died in January due to a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others —Payton Chester, 13, Sarah Chester, 46, Alyssa Altobelli, 14, Keri Altobelli, 46, John Altobelli, 56, Christina Mauser, 38, and pilot Ara Zobayan, 50.

Kobe wore jersey numbers 8 and 24 during his time in the NBA. In Game 5, the Lakers wore the Black Mamba uniform designed by Kobe after his retirement in 2016.

Vanessa acknowledged the team's gesture in her Instagram Story and even shared a photo of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo wearing the uniform.

"Let's go Lakers," she wrote in the caption.

James led the Lakers to its victory and earned his fourth NBA Finals MVP.

"For me to be a part of such a historical franchise is an unbelievable feeling, not only for myself but for my teammates, for the organization, for the coaches, for the trainers, everybody that's here," James said as quoted by CNN after the win.

"We just want our respect. (Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager) Rob (Pelinka) wants his respect. (Lakers head) coach (Frank) Vogel wants his respect. Our organization wants their respect. Laker nation wants their respect. And I want my damn respect, too.”

In August, Vanessa, James and Kobe's NBA colleagues celebrated what would have been his 42nd birthday. Vanessa paid a sweet tribute by recounting her memories with her late husband.

"To my baby~ Happy birthday," Vanessa wrote. "I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi," she wrote.

Meanwhile, James shared a throwback video taken from Kobe's previous birthday. "Happy Bday my brother!! Miss you man!! #LongLive [black mamba emoji] #GoneButNeverEverForgotten[heart emoji]," he captioned his post.