Los Angeles, Monday: 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 which Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who perished.
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.
"It is not going to go away soon. We will weep forever."
Eight NBA games were on tap Sunday, and the prevailing mood in every arena was sadness and shock.
Lillard said their coach Terry Stotts told them to go out and honor Bryant by not holding back. "It was on all of our minds. In the time outs... it hurt all of us in our hearts. I look up to him. He's our hero. It is sad man, real sad day."
Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.
"No words can explain the impact he had on the floor," said Los Angeles Clippers Leonard. "We are a team from Los Angeles so we know the LA history with him. It is just sad."
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was preparing to start just his third career NBA contest against Boston when he was floored by news of the death.
"I couldn't focus at first when I heard the news," said Williamson, who was born the year Bryant won his first NBA championship in 2000. "It was tough getting out there. I just hate to see it happen like that to him and his daughter."
Clippers coach Doc Rivers spoke to reporters before his team took on the Magic in Orlando. AFP
‘There will never be another Kobe’ - tributes flow for sporting legend
The cricket world joined in heartfelt tributes to basketball legend Kobe Bryant following his passing in a helicopter crash, which killed nine people, including Bryant’s daughter, Gianna.
Bryant is a sporting legend, a role model for fans and sportspersons alike, and the shock and grief at the loss of the man known as ‘Black Mamba’ was deep and immediate.
Sir Vivian Richards
A true legend of the sporting world!
Rest In Peace dear Kobe and his daughter. May the family have immense strength to overcome this sad time. #RIPLegend
Virat Kohli
Absolutely devastated to hear the news today. So many childhood memories of waking up early and watching the magician doing things on the court that I would be mesmerized by. Life is so unpredictable and fickle. His daughter Gianna too passed away in the crash. I am absolutely heartbroken. Rest in peace. Strength and condolences to the family.
Dimuth Karunaratne
“IF YOU’RE AFRAID TO FAIL, THEN YOU’RE PROBABLY GOING TO FAIL.”
Absolutely gutting. There will never be another Kobe. A total inspiration on and off the court, Rest easy#RIPMamba
Ian bishop
Can’t be man, can’t be, surely not!!!!!!
Shai Hope
Watching basketball will never feel the same. The disbelief is unreal#RIPKobeBryant #Mamba4Ever
Daren Sammy
Heroes come and go legends live forever. But this still hurts like hell. Very sad day. #RIPKobeBryant you inspired us all. God be with all the families who lost their love ones.
Ashwin Ravichandran
Kobe Bryant died??? One of greatest sportsmen of our time is no more. #RIPKobe
Kagiso Rabada
Gone too soon but a legacy that will live forever. RIP legend #RIPMamba
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