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‘Please God don’t let this be real’: World reacts to Kobe Bryant’s shock death

LeBron James wiped away tears and hugged loved ones as cameras captured him getting off the Lakers’ plane after Kobe Bryant’s death.

6 min read
January 27, 2020 - 4:49PM
LeBron James in tears following the news of Kobe Bryant's death.

The world has reacted with an outpouring of grief following shocking news of NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s death.
NBA players, celebrities, President Donald Trump and the wider public took to social media to mourn the loss of the 41-year-old superstar, with many saying they were in “shock” and wished the news was false.

Bryant and his teenage daughter Gianna were among nine people who died when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed into hills in Calabasas, California.

Basketball stars like Donovan Mitchell, Dwyane Wade, Joel Embiid and NFL icon Tom Brady were among many to express their shock at the unfathomable news.

RELATED: Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash

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LeBron James, who recently paid tribute to Bryant after overtaking him on the list of the NBA’s greatest ever point-scorers to move into third, was shown breaking down as he disembarked the LA Lakers’ team plane, wiping away tears and hugging loved ones.

Kobe Bryant died tragically in a helicopter crash. Picture: Mark Ralston/AFP
Kobe Bryant died tragically in a helicopter crash. Picture: Mark Ralston/AFP
LeBron James is understandably devastated.
LeBron James is understandably devastated.

News of Bryant’s death sent shockwaves throughout the world as people paid their respects to “The Black Mamba”.

“There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi and my brother,” Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant’s former Lakers teammate, wrote on social media. “I’m sick right now.”

Aussie NBA star Ben Simmons also took to social media, to pay tribute to the NBA icon.

TIGER WOODS BLINDSIDED BY KOBE’S CRASH

Golf great, lifetime Lakers fan and Bryant’s friend Tiger Woods was midway through a round at a PGA tour event at Torrey Pines when the basketballer died.

Woods didn’t know anything about the tragedy until his caddie Joe LaCava told him when he came off the 18th green.

Cameras were reported to have captured the moment Woods learned of the news.

“I didn’t really understand why people in the gallery were saying, ‘Do it for Mamba’,” Woods said. “But now I understand.

“It’s a shocker to everyone. Unbelievably sad and one of the more tragic days.

“For me, the reality is just sinking in.”

Woods said he admired Bryant’s unmatchable competitive spirit.

“The fire,” Woods said when asked what he’ll remember most. “He burned so competitively hot and (had the) desire to win.

“He brought it each and every night on both ends of the floor. Not too many guys can say that throughout NBA history.

“Any time he was in the game he’d take on their best player and shut them down for all 48 minutes. That was one of the more impressive things in his entire career.”

SPORTS STARS AND CELEBRITIES REACT

Former President Barack Obama, who hosted Bryant and the Lakers at the White House following their 2010 championship, wrote on Twitter: “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.

“To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”

LAKERS CAMP LEFT SPEECHLESS

Writing for the LA Times, Tania Ganguli reported many of the Lakers were asleep as they flew home from Philadelphia after a loss to the 76ers on the weekend.

Bryant’s former teammate Dwight Howard was one of the first on board to find out and started circulating the news, according to the Times. Coach Frank Vogel was then briefed and addressed the team.

“They were shocked. Devastated. Speechless,” Ganguli wrote. “LeBron James, who passed Bryant on the league’s all-time scoring list the night before, appeared broken up.”

Lakers star Jared Dudley said the news didn’t “feel real”.

Bryant’s former teammate and ex-executive at the Lakers, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, was heartbroken.

“As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash,” Johnson tweeted.

“I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court.

“Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball. I know basketball fans all over the world will miss him, especially the city of Los Angeles.

“Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy.

“I will miss those conversations and him so much.”

Former general manager of the Lakers and the man who drafted Bryant to the franchise, Jerry West, was distraught.

“The news we’ve all received today is the most devastating news that anyone can imagine,” West said, per The Athletic. “I am so saddened for Kobe’s parents, Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, Capri, Kobe’s sisters and all of the NBA fans that hold Kobe in their hearts.

“This loss of Kobe, Gianna, and everyone on board is beyond tragic and incomprehensible. I will love Kobe forever and always cherish the time that I spent with him.

“I watched him grow from an energetic kid into the man he became, making a difference in so many people’s (lives). He has left the world a better place. Kobe’s legacy will live forever.”

GRAMMYS TAKE PLACE ON A SOMBRE NOTE

Music’s night of nights The Grammys were taking place at The Staples Center in Los Angeles — the Lakers’ home stadium where Bryant delighted so many basketball fans.

Singer Alicia Keys was hosting The Grammys and led an emotional tribute to the NBA megastar.

“Here we are, together on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best,” Keys said. “But to be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now.

“Earlier today, Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.

“Kobe and his daughter Gianna and all of those that have been tragically lost today are in our spirits, then in our hearts, they’re in our prayers, they’re in this building.

“I would like to ask everybody to take a moment and just hold them inside of you … and share our strength and our support with their families.

“We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this.”

NINE DEAD IN CRASH THAT KILLED KOBE

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas after a fire broke out on his private helicopter, TMZ first reported.

Emergency personnel responded, but all nine people on-board were killed. TMZ later reported Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Maria, also died in the crash.

Bryant’s wife Vanessa was not among those on-board.

The helicopter was believed to be en route to Gianna’s basketball game in Thousand Oaks when it crashed.

The crash sparked a fire that made it difficult for emergency workers in their initial rescue efforts.

There was extensive fog in the Los Angeles area on Sunday morning. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of those killed.

Drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia – a rarity in the NBA at the time for a player to skip college – Bryant was traded to the Lakers where he became a fan favourite overnight.

He wore both numbers 8 and 24 for the Lakers, the organisation where spent his entire 20-year career.

His two jerseys were both retired, an NBA first, following his exit from the league in 2016.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest scorers ever, Bryant was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and was elected to the NBA’s All-Star team 18 times.

He went on to win two gold medals with the USA men’s basketball team - in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics and 2012 in London.

Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash. NBA basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter were among nine people killed in the crash in Southern California. Picture: AP PhotoMark J. Terrill
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash. NBA basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter were among nine people killed in the crash in Southern California. Picture: AP PhotoMark J. Terrill

Originally published as ‘Please God don’t let this be real’: World reacts to Kobe Bryant’s shock death

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/please-god-dont-let-this-be-real-world-reacts-to-kobe-bryants-shock-death/news-story/4573e873ab64c808c91b9d139a450332