Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, teammates on the legendary Showtime Lakers, shared their memories of Kobe Bryant both on and off the court after the NBA legend died in a helicopter crash on Sunday at age 41.
“My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone,” Johnson said in a series of tweets. “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, & NBA & 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.”
Abdul-Jabbar, who stands alongside Bryant on the list of top 5 highest point scorers in NBA history, said that while Bryant will be remembered by most for his five NBA titles and endless basketball achievements, “I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete.”
Bryant’s death was met with shock and sadness throughout the league, with several players seen in tears during warmups. The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs paid tribute at the start of their game by allowing the 24-second shot clock to expire on each of their first possessions.
Read more from Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson in the tweets below.
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. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
He gave his knowledge, time, and talent to tutor so many at the youth level, collegiate level, & NBA & 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. pic.twitter.com/ZoB3Uwbvzk
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
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.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020