#RIPMamba: NBA community reacts to passing of Kobe Bryant

The NBA community is reacting to the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

The former Los Angeles Lakers guard was among five people killed when a helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California Sunday.

Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter, 13, were reportedly on their way to one of her basketball games when the helicopter crash.

The death of the man known as “Black Mamba” on the court was met with shock, awe, and disbelief on social media.

Former teammate Shaquille O'Neal was among those who took to Twitter.

SHAQ

✔@SHAQ

There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW

1.22M

5:46 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

326K people are talking about this

SportsCenter

✔@SportsCenter

Michael Jordan reacts to the death of Kobe Bryant and sends his condolences to basketball fans around the world.

37.9K

7:32 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

7,487 people are talking about this

DWade

✔@DwyaneWade

Nooooooooooo God please No!

561K

3:50 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

104K people are talking about this

Mark Cuban

✔@mcuban

We can never forget how precious life is. How those who are special to you and never let them forget how deeply you love them

149K

3:56 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

36.5K people are talking about this

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

✔@kaj33

Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete.

284K

5:22 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

71.2K people are talking about this

Saturday evening, Kobe himself had taken to Twitter to congratulate current Lakers star LeBron James on passing him on the career points list.

Kobe Bryant

✔@kobebryant

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644

1.73M

11:39 AM - Jan 26, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

420K people are talking about this

James could be seen getting off the Lakers team plane Sunday afternoon embracing those around him after learning of Bryant's passing.

The Crossover

✔@TheCrossover

LeBron James in tears as he got off the Lakers team plane

(via @12SportsAZ) https://twitter.com/12SportsAZ/status/1221558341236748288/video/1 …

10K

6:28 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

2,411 people are talking about this

During a matchup between the Raptors and Spurs Sunday afternoon both teams took a 24-second shot clock violation to honor Bryant, who wore number 24 for much of his career.

In 1995, Bryant was drafted into the NBA out of Lower Merion High School (PA). He was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and later traded to the Lakers.

Joel Embiid

✔@JoelEmbiid

Man I don’t even know where to start I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!

RIP LEGEND

264K

4:15 AM - Jan 27, 2020 · Philadelphia, PA

Twitter Ads info and privacy

38.1K people are talking about this

Rudy Gobert

✔@rudygobert27

Enjoy every single day people, we are always too worried about things that are actually not that important. Life is precious and you never now when it’s gonna end.

50.5K

4:00 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

16.5K people are talking about this

Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, two-time finals MVP, and was named MVP in 2008. He is now fourth on the NBA's points list with 33,643.

Scottie Pippen

✔@ScottiePippen

I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.

21.7K

3:54 AM - Jan 27, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

4,285 people are talking about this

Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa, and three of their daughters -- Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.

Clippers and Magic Take 24 and 8 Second Violations for Kobe Bryant (01.26.20)