NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe BryantMadison Square Garden is lit up Purple and Gold for Kobe right now #RIPKobeI have no words God speed my friend @kobebryant You are a legendIt is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas.
Kobe felt like a guy that would be around and part of the NBA for another 50 years. #ripkobeWOW! NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. ?The Raptors and Spurs both ran the first 24 seconds of the clock run off the clock in honor of Kobe. RIP LEGEND — Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020 NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. https://t.co/pbdglp1p7UA Los Angeles law enforcement source just confirmed for me that Kobe Bryant and 4 other people died this morning in a helicopter crash. I remember bumping into him at a restaurant and he came over to my table leaving my dinner guests with memories to remember forever. Tucker react during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before today's game against the Denver Nuggets. To us in Philly he was one of ours. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. What an incredible moment. ??? (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Kobe Bryant poses with his family at halftime after both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys are retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. My Condolences To His Wife And Children. Also: The Grammys are here tonight so there is the odd person wandering around in a tuxedo. Jan 26, 2020 7:05 PM ET.
Sports legend.Easily one of the saddest days in Sports. Erica Banas is rock/classic rock news blogger who's well versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Former Los Angeles Lakers players Shaquille O'Neal (L) Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson during a ceremony where of O'Neal's statue was unveiled at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. FILE -- Kobe Bryant attends the National Retail Federation Foundation Gala at Pier 60 in New York, Jan. 15, 2017. Here is a selection of notable reactions. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers struggles to hold both the Larry O'Brien trophy and the MVP trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. An unspeakable loss for his family, friends, Los Angeles, basketball. Man I don’t even know where to start I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. Such A Shock. His fans have already started to gather outside.Just surreal at Staples Center - Kobe's face on every screen as hundreds of people seem to just want to be somewhere they can cry together. Even though we're not with her, Love travels and is transcendent.Janet and I have no words to describe our shock and sadness on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant today.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Here is a selection of notable reactions. Libby Emmons and Barrett Wilson Montreal, QC. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Filmmakers Kobe Bryant (L) and Glen Keane accept Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Kobe. Twitter reactions to Kobe’s death reveal the worst elements of our culture. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life.

https://t.co/vj1EFcuFpVAhead of the Grammy's tonight, the Staples Center has put up a tribute to Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash this morning. Just can't be. Twitter was ground zero for people who used the Kobe Bryant tragedy to further their own agendas and trash their ideological opponents. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.Whenever I had a chance to talk to Kobe he was always a class act. We will never forget you KobeCan't be true. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Kobe Bryant pictured at Nike Town London as part of his European Black Mamba Tour with Nike on October 22, 2017 in London, England. NBA on Twitter. From NBA Twitter reports . Kobe Bryant, the former MVP, two-time Finals MVP and 18-time All-Star, was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday.The former Los Angeles Lakers star spent his entire 20-season career with the team, leading them to five NBA championships while also leaving basketball fans worldwide with countless memories of his exploits on the Finals stage.Below is a collection of responses from NBA players, coaches, legends and other personalities on Bryant's passing.NBA.com is part of Turner Sports Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.