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AFP
Los Angeles
The NBA grappled with the sudden death of league great Kobe Bryant on Sunday, players saying they felt sick to their stomach taking to the court without having ample time to absorb the shocking news.
A haunting moment of silence preceded the Houston Rockets’ game against the Nuggets in Denver, which tipped off just hours after the helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles.
In San Antonio, where the Spurs hosted the reigning champions Toronto Raptors, both teams took 24-second shot-clock violations on their first possessions of the game in honor of Bryant – who wore the number 24 in the later years of his career.
And in a move that other NBA teams are also expected to adopt, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they were retiring the number 24 jersey.
Several NBA stars said they were reluctant to step on the court after learning the news. “I don’t even know how we are supposed to play this game tonight,” said Portland’s Damian Lillard said before scoring 50 points in a 139-129 win over Indiana. “It makes you sick to your stomach. It is disturbing.
“It is bigger than just our heroes and the people we look up to dying. It goes deeper than that.”
Newly-retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade described Sunday as “one of the saddest days of my lifetime,” adding that he couldn’t believe Bryant was gone and that his family had been sharing Kobe stories all day. “It seems like a bad dream that you just want to wake up from. It is a nightmare,” he said.
Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.
One of the most moving tributes came from former Laker Brian Shaw who played four seasons with Bryant.
In 1993, Shaw’s parents and sister were killed in a car smash in Nevada and he wanted to share his coping skills with the fans of the NBA star affectionately known as the ‘Black Mamba’.
“I want to try to help some of those who feel like I feel right now,” said Shaw using a tissue to wipe away the tears. “I am 53 and I’ve dealt with a lot of death in my time.
“My family died in a car accident. One of things that kept me going was while they were here, we lived, and we made a lot of memories together. And now that they are gone that’s all that you have.
“For those Kobe fans out there feeling like I feel right now, just think of all the joy he brought to you.
“Those are the memories you are going to have to rely on going forward..”
Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young said he was just getting to know Bryant and his basketball-playing daughter.
“This is a crazy day to play basketball,” Young said.
“I talked to him a couple of times.
“He’s only been to three games this year and two of them were ours. His daughter was a big fan of mine.”
Bryant was one of the best closers the NBA has ever seen. Throughout his career, he would baffle his coach Phil Jackson with his penchant to start games slowly before assuming total command in the fourth quarter.
Former German all-star Dirk Nowitzki referred to Bryant’s finishing skills in a heart-tugging written tribute.
“I remember coming home after games so I could watch you dominate in the fourth quarter! You will always be loved. Rest in Peace with your angel Gigi,” said Nowitzki.
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28/01/2020
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