How Lebron Jame Was Publicly Humiliated And Banned From Kobe Bryant’s Funerals
Banned from the Mamba’s Farewell: The Untold Stories Behind Kobe Bryant’s Memorial Guest List
Kobe Bryant’s memorial service was one of the most emotional events in NBA history. Fans, family, and legends of the game gathered to pay tribute to the Black Mamba. But behind the scenes, a carefully controlled guest list told a different story — one of fractured friendships, unresolved feuds, and emotional fallout that stretched far beyond the basketball court.
Here are the NBA players who were reportedly banned or denied entry to Kobe Bryant’s funeral — and the shocking reasons why.
1. LeBron James – Disinvited Over Ego?
LeBron James, the face of the NBA and the man who passed Kobe on the all-time scoring list the night before the fatal helicopter crash, was noticeably absent from the memorial.
Sources within the Lakers organization claim Vanessa Bryant refused to invite LeBron, believing he made Kobe’s final night more about himself than the legend he was honoring. Speculation intensified when Stephen A. Smith publicly questioned LeBron’s absence — not just from the memorial, but also from Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction.
LeBron never publicly eulogized Kobe. No tweet. No Instagram post. Just silence.
“I mourn in private,” he said in an interview. But was that the full story?
2. Shaquille O’Neal – Invited Only After Pushback
Shaq and Kobe’s feud is one of the most iconic in NBA history. While they reconciled publicly, insiders claim the Bryant family never fully forgave the mental and emotional toll the feud took on Kobe.
Shaq wasn’t initially on the guest list. It took Kobe’s parents stepping in for Vanessa to reluctantly allow him to speak. And when he did, his speech reminded everyone why their bond — even when strained — was unforgettable.
“There’s no ‘I’ in team,” Shaq said, “but there is an ‘M-E’ in that mother****er.”
3. Derek Fisher – Turned Away at the Door
Fisher was Kobe’s co-captain, a clutch shooter, and a five-time NBA champion. But when he arrived at the memorial, he was reportedly denied entry at the door.
Why? Sources say one word: betrayal.
Fisher’s relationship with Matt Barnes’ ex-wife was viewed as a violation of locker room code, and Kobe quietly distanced himself. One teammate told The Athletic:
“Kobe hated drama. Fish had become drama.”
4. Dwight Howard – Barred by Name
The tension between Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant was no secret. Kobe called him the “softest big man” he’d ever played with. Despite Dwight’s public tribute to Kobe, Vanessa allegedly instructed security:
“If Dwight Howard shows up uninvited, escort him out.”
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Dwight wasn’t even told the date of the funeral until the day of. One viral Reddit post dubbed the snub: “Kobe’s final block.”
5. Carmelo Anthony – “I Never Got the Call”
Carmelo and Kobe were Olympic teammates and close friends, but Melo claims he was never invited.
“It hurt. It hurt like hell,” Melo said on a podcast.
Despite praising Kobe in the Redeem Team documentary and being considered one of Kobe’s favorite scorers, he was left off the list. A Bryant family rep said Vanessa only wanted “true family.”
6. Nick Young – Blacklisted Over Locker Room Scandal
“Swaggy P” was a fan favorite, but after the D’Angelo Russell scandal — where a private video of Nick cheating on Iggy Azalea went viral — he was blacklisted.
Kobe reportedly told the front office:
“Swaggie’s out. I don’t want to see him again.”
Nick posted a cryptic Instagram Story the day of the memorial:
“They never loved me FR, but I still lit a candle for my dog. RIP24.”
7. D’Angelo Russell – Escorted from the Line
Russell, the player behind the Swaggy P scandal, wasn’t just snubbed — he was literally removed from the line trying to get in. Fans posted photos of him being turned away.
“He thought he could just slide in like nothing happened,” one fan tweeted.
Kobe viewed the incident as a violation of man code, and the Bryant family reportedly never forgave him.
8. Karl Malone – Ghosted Over Inappropriate Comments
Karl Malone and Kobe briefly played together, but their relationship soured after Malone allegedly made inappropriate comments to Vanessa Bryant during a game.
Kobe confronted Malone publicly, saying:
“He said some stuff to my wife. I just didn’t like it.”
When Malone reached out to attend the funeral, he was told it wasn’t possible.
9. Gary Payton – Shut Out After Mamba Clash
Despite being a veteran presence during Kobe’s early years, Payton and Kobe reportedly clashed during their time together in 2004. According to Phil Jackson’s book The Last Season, Kobe thought Payton was too unserious, and even called him a “clown.”
Payton tried to mend things later, but his name never made it onto the list. No tribute. No post. Just silence.
10. Lamar Odom – Blacklisted Over Addiction Concerns
Lamar was Kobe’s teammate, workout partner, and close friend. He credits Kobe with saving his life.
But according to multiple reports, Vanessa refused to allow Lamar at the memorial, fearing his past struggles with addiction might distract from the solemnity of the moment.
Lamar responded in a video:
“I miss you, Bean. I know you’re up there coaching Gigi. I hope I made you proud.”
11. Pau Gasol – Almost Left Out By Mistake
Pau was Kobe’s “brother,” and Kobe said as much. But even he wasn’t initially on the printed guest list. According to an ESPN staffer, Natalia Bryant intervened at the door:
“My dad would never do this to you.”
Pau was ushered in with applause — a rare moment of warmth in a day filled with cold exclusion.
12. Smush Parker – The One Name Everyone Expected
Kobe was never shy about his disdain for Smush Parker, once calling him:
“The worst teammate I’ve ever had.”
Smush wasn’t invited. No apology. No surprise.
Final Thoughts: Ego, Loyalty, and Legacy
Kobe Bryant’s funeral wasn’t just a farewell — it was a statement.
For many, being excluded from the memorial was a moment of public reckoning. Some bans reflected Kobe’s own wishes. Others, fans believe, were acts of Vanessa’s protective grief. In either case, it showed us a side of NBA brotherhood rarely seen.
In the end, not everyone who wore the jersey earned the Mamba’s respect.
Which name surprised you the most?
Let’s talk in the comments.
