Kobe Bryant had agreed to help Dwight Howard in Dunk Contest before his death

Kobe Bryant was slated to make public amends with a former teammate before his passing.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard revealed on Tuesday that Bryant had agreed to come to Chicago to help him out during the Slam Dunk Contest, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Howard added that it was “heartbreaking” that he never got a chance to tell Bryant how much he appreciated him.

Bryant and Howard were teammates on the Lakers during the 2012-13 season and famously did not get along. Howard said just days before Bryant’s death though that he wanted the Mamba to be part of his Dunk Contest display.

While it is sad that the moment will never happen now, Howard will almost certainly incorporate a tribute to Bryant as part of his performance just like many others are going to be doing this All-Star Weekend.