From Shaquille O’Neal to Drake, NBA Fans React to the Shocking Death of Kobe Bryant

News - 3 years ago

Okayplayer icon
Dimas Sanfiorenzo Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. He specializes…
Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

NBA fans from all walks of life honored the legendary Kobe Bryant.

The world is in shock with the news that all-time NBA great Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash outside of Calabasas, CA on Sunday, January 26th. He was 41-years-old.

Kobe spent the entirety of his 20-year career as a Los Angeles Laker, wining five championships and one MVP in the process. When he retired at the end of the 2016-2017 season, he wrapped up his career third on the all-time scoring list, racking up 33,643 points.

In a cruel twist, LeBron James just surpassed Kobe in points scored all-time last night during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Kobe was in attendance and congratulated LeBron.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

On to #2 @kingjames! Keep growing the game and charting the path for the next. 💪🏾

A post shared by Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) on

As soon as TMZ broke the news, NBA fans all across the world went to social media to post their respects for the NBA legend. From Drake to Questlove to Dwyane Wade to Cardi B, here is how fans reacted to the shocking death of Kobe.

 

Drake

 

View this post on Instagram

 

😤😔🥺 it can’t be

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

Kehlani

 

View this post on Instagram

 

💔🙏🏼

A post shared by Kehlani🧿 (@kehlani) on

Ex-Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat player Goran Dragić

Martin Lawrence

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’m at a loss for words. My heart, prayers, and condolences go out to the Bryant family 🙏🏾 #kobebryant #rip #legend

A post shared by Martin Lawrence (@martinlawrence) on

Chuck D

Bill Russell

John Legend

Hall-of-Famer Scottie Pippen

Justin Bieber

 

View this post on Instagram

 

It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on

Big Boi

Dominique Wilkins

2 Chainz

Pharrell Williams

Questlove

 

View this post on Instagram

 

God bless their loved ones in their time of grief. Devastating.

A post shared by Questlove Froman, (@questlove) on

Meek Mill

 

View this post on Instagram

 

You never know what you waking up to next… damn this is unreal

A post shared by Meek Mill (@meekmill) on

Jhené Aiko

Pusha-T

 

View this post on Instagram

 

🙏🏿 Prayers to the Bryant family… RIP @kobebryant 😔

A post shared by Pusha T (@kingpush) on

Joe Biden

Ice-T

Joel Oritz

NBA Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman

Andre Drummond

Kevin Love

Joel Embiid

Quavo

Tyga

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’m lost for words. #Numb 😢😢

A post shared by T-Raww (@tyga) on

Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George

Ex-San Antonio Spur Manu Ginobili

Ex-Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce

Ex-Los Angeles great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Rick Ross

Big Sean

Ludacris

Ex- Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal

Cardi B

Doc Rivers

Barack Obama

Kanye West

Magic Johnson

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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. Cookie and I are heartbroken. I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court. My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. He gave his knowledge, time, and talent to tutor so many at the youth level, collegiate level, and NBA and WNBA players. 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. He was such an icon but also did so much for LA. He was passionate about serving the homeless and was an advocate for women’s basketball. Coaching his daughter’s basketball team brought him so much happiness. 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. Laker Nation, the game of basketball and our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie and I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri, as well as his parents Joe and Pam and his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. We love you forever. 🙏🏾❤️ #8 #24

A post shared by Earvin “Magic” Johnson (@magicjohnson) on

Ex-Lakers teammate Lamar Odom

 

View this post on Instagram

 

These picture are just the tip of the iceberg of our relationship. He taught me so many things in life that were necessary on and off the court. On the court he taught me how to carve out defenses and how to take my time. How to make winning my ultimate goal. Off the court he taught me to sign my own checks lol. Of course anyone who knows my story knows I’ve suffered a lot of loss but the only loss I can compare this to is when I lost my son. Even though our relationship wasn’t father/son, it was more like him being a teacher and me being his brother. I’m glad I got to be the ying to your yang as far as the locker room was concerned. It was my pleasure. I couldn’t even catch my breath today when I heard this news. I just knew if he was in a helicopter crash he would have been the one to survive. Somehow he would have jumped out and landed on his feet. I’m sitting here thinking about when we would be in practice scrimmaging and you would start the jump ball off with elbowing Sasha in the chest. Like dude it’s 10:30 in the morning lol. You think watching him play was crazy, you gotta think in practice if you scored like 8-9 buckets throughout the practice you had a great practice. I’ve seen him knock off 13-14 in a row in practice!!!! I’m still waiting for the media to come out and say wrong report. No way God took my brother this early. I know I been through my own stuff in life with using drugs and not being good to myself. When I went through that Coma situation if God would have came to me and said we would take me and spare Kobe I would have rather that happened. In honor of my brother I’m up at 4am tomorrow to get to the gym! Gigi gone give you buckets!!!! I love you brother 💔🙏🏿😥 @kobebryant

A post shared by Lamar Odom (@lamarodom) on

Allen Iverson

 

View this post on Instagram

 

“Words cannot express how I’m feeling today. The only 2 words that ring in my head- devastated and heartbroken. I cannot seem to shake this feeling no matter what I’ve tried to do since hearing this yesterday. ⠀ ⠀ People will always remember how we competed against each other in the league, but it goes so much deeper than that for me. The story of us being drafted in arguably the deepest class of its kind ever in the history of the NBA can be debated for many years to come. However, his generosity and respect for the game is something that I witnessed first-hand every time we stepped on the dance floor to compete. ⠀ ⠀ It’s one memory of him that I can’t stop thinking about. It was our rookie season and my first trip to LA for a game against the Lakers. He came to my hotel, picked me up and took me to a restaurant. When we returned before he left, he asked me, “what are you going to do tonight”? My reply was, “I’m going to the club, what are you going to do?” He said, “I’m going to the gym.” That is who he always was, a true student of the game of basketball and also the game of life. He prepared relentlessly. There is something we can all learn from the “Mamba” mentality and from the way my brother lived his life. He will always have my respect as a competitor, as a friend, as a brother. ⠀ ⠀ My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Vanessa, their children and the families of all of the victims of yesterday’s tragedy. As a father, I cannot wrap my head around how they must feel. ⠀ ⠀ We are not okay. But we will find the strength to pull through this together because that’s what Kobe would want us to do. ”⠀ ⠀ -Allen Iverson

A post shared by Iverson Classic (@iversonclassic) on

Nas

 

View this post on Instagram

 

We all love you. Glad I told you that on this night. 💔🙏🏾

A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on


Tiger Woods

LeBron James

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! 😢😢😢😢💔. Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation💜💛 and it’s my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life❤️🙏🏾 #Gigi4Life❤️🙏🏾

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on

More Like This

Ye Defends Decision to Sell Yeezy Gap Collection in Trash Bags

Culture - 1 day ago

Dr. Dre Credits JAY-Z & Nas For Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

Culture - 1 day ago

Pete Davidson is Reportedly in Trauma Therapy Due to Online Harassment From Ye

Culture - 1 week ago

Mixtape Monday: YUNGMORPHEUS x Theravada, BIGMUTHA, AJ Suede, Cise Greeny, Len Bowen + More

Music - 2 weeks ago

Want More?

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Follow Us