Michael Jordan had the entire arena in both tears and laughter during his speech about the life and legacy of his late friend Kobe Bryant. During an emotional speech at The Staples Center on Monday, Jordan at one point joked about the infamous crying meme of himself that's been a staple of meme history.

Jordan gave a heartfelt speech about his long relationship with Bryant and the times they shared together before tears began to stream from his face.

"We talked about everything, and he was just trying to be a better person. Now he's got me…I'm going to have to look at another crying meme for the next…I told my wife I wasn't going to do this because I didn't want to see that for the next three or four years," Jordan joked between tears, offering what was arguably the service's most lighthearted moment.

The original visual of a crying Jordan was birthed during his 2009 Hall of Fame induction and has since become an iconic meme. 

"That is what Kobe Bryant does to me. I'm pretty sure Vanessa and his friends all can say the same thing. He knows how to get to you in a way that affects you personally, even when he's being a pain in the ass. But you always had a sense of love for him and the way that he can bring out the best in you. And he did that for me," the NBA icon added.

“As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”

The Staples Center was full of celebrities and basketball legends, who gave speeches commemorating Bryant's life as well as that of his 13-year-old daughter Gigi. 

"Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. And I just wanted to talk about Kobe. This kid had passion like you would never know. As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be,” Jordan told the crowd.

"I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant, that he was just trying to be a better person, a better basketball player. We talked about business, we talked about family. We talked about everything," he said. "I admired him because of his passion. You rarely see someone who is looking and trying to improve each and every day, not just in sports but as a parent, as a husband. I am inspired by what he's done and what he's shared with Vanessa and his kids," Jordan added.