A tearful Michael Jordan remembered his "little brother" Kobe Bryant at a star-filled memorial in Los Angeles for the basketball great and his daughter Gianna, who died with seven others in a helicopter crash last month. "When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died, and as I look in this arena, across the globe, a piece of you died," the NBA legend said on Monday with tears streaming down his face. "I promise you, from this day forward, I will live with the memories and knowing that I had a little brother," Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest player in history, added.

"I tried to help in every way I could. Please rest in peace, little brother." The public memorial -- dubbed "A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant" -- was held at Staples Center, the arena where Bryant wowed fans for 17 years, and known as "the house that Kobe built." The 2/24 date carries special significance as it coincides with Bryant's jersey number -- "24" -- and Gianna's "2" jersey number.