Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, took to social media Thursday for the first time since the death of Kobe Bryant, with whom she said she was "family."

Bryant, who was 41, his daughter Gianna, who was 13, and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday.

"Kobe, I don't know how to express what you mean to me, my family and the Los Angeles Lakers," Buss wrote in her Instagram post. "My father [Jerry Buss] loved you like a son, which makes us family. When you invited me to lunch shortly after my father passed away, I was struggling to find motivation and purpose. Kobe, you brought Gianna with you to spend some time with me. You explained that you wanted to show her that women can be leaders in the NBA, just like the men.

"At first, it seemed like an action of a devoted father setting an example for his daughter. But in actuality -- and I am positively sure you knew EXACTLY what you were doing -- what you did was give me the inspiration and strength I was searching for. I reflect on that day often and it makes me smile and it makes me strong. I call on that memory whenever I feel down and need a bit of courage.

"For everything you did on the court that filled me with so much joy and love, for all the lives you changed through basketball itself, it was that day with Gigi that reignited my drive and determination."

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Kobe, I don't know how to express what you mean to me, my family and the Los Angeles Lakers. My father loved you like a son, which makes us family. When you invited me to lunch shortly after my father passed away, I was struggling to find motivation and purpose. Kobe, you brought Gianna with you to spend some time with me. You explained that you wanted to show her that women can be leaders in the NBA, just like the men. At first, it seemed like an action of a devoted father setting an example for his daughter. But in actuality - and I am positively sure you knew EXACTLY what you were doing - what you did was give me the inspiration and strength I was searching for. I reflect on that day often and it makes me smile and it makes me strong. I call on that memory whenever I feel down and need a bit of courage. For everything you did on the court that filled me with so much joy and love, for all the lives you changed through basketball itself, it was that day with Gigi that reignited my drive and determination. Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri - I am so sorry for your loss. We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you. To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation - we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly. We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win TOGETHER. We love you. Kobe - that's what you made you so unbelievably special. You not only inspired us towards greatness, you showed us the way. : : To learn more about how you can help the families affected by this tragedy go to MambaOnThree.org and to further Kobe and Gianna's legacy in youth sports visit MambaSportsFoundation.org #peace #love #joy #family #Mamba #Mambacita #2 #8 #24 : : Picture taken in February 2016 on the way to #NBAAllStar game in #Toronto

A post shared by Jeanie Buss (@jeaniebuss) on Jan 30, 2020 at 9:05am PST

Bryant played 20 seasons with the Lakers before retiring in 2016, three years after the death of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who shepherded the NBA team to 10 championships from the Showtime dynasty of the 1980s to the Bryant era.

Jeanie Buss went on to express her sympathies to Bryant's wife Vanessa and his three other daughters -- Natalia, Bianka and Capri.

"I am so sorry for your loss. We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you," Buss wrote. "To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation - we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly.

"We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win TOGETHER. We love you. Kobe - that's what you made you so unbelievably special. You not only inspired us towards greatness, you showed us the way."

Bryant had many relationships with those in and around the organization, including Lakers vice president of basketball operations/GM Rob Pelinka, his longtime agent who also was Gianna's godfather.

After Tuesday's game against the LA Clippers was indefinitely postponed by the NBA, the Lakers held their first full practice Wednesday. Their next game on the schedule is Friday at Staples Center against the Portland Trail Blazers.