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The tragic death of Kobe Bryant surprised the Lakers, his Lakers, flying back to Los Angeles from his native Philadelphia. A miserable whim of fate. On the runway, LeBron James cried hugging members of the franchise. Just 15 hours before, after beating him as the third highest scorer in history, he had talked about everything that meant to him. From the mark that his legendary work ethic left him, the dream of having shared with him team in two Olympic Games. For the vast majority of current NBA players, Kobe Bryant was what Michael Jordan had been for him, what LeBron is for new generations. It was the saddest night in the NBA.

Despite the mood of the players, the league decided to move forward with a day that was about to begin when the tragedy was confirmed. The news surprised the Rockets and the Nuggets in the warm up. The teams kept a minute of silence. Russell Westbrook , of whom Kobe left saying he was the current player who most reminded himself of his mentality, prayed downcast. Seeing Tyson Chandler or Austin Rivers shattered, many wondered what was the point of playing.

The Spurs and the Raptors also learned about the parquet. The two teams decided to pass the first 24 minutes of their first possession, in memory of the number Kobe led during the second part of his career. "Everything I learned was from him. Without Kobe, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have this love for basketball. This passion. This determination. Everything came from him," said DeMar DeRozan , raised in Los Angeles, one of many who They grew up imitating the Black Mamba. Tim Duncan cried on the bench.

They also let the Grizzlies and the Suns run out of possession, with Devin Booker crying on the floor. Also the Pelicans and the Boston Celtics, the eternal enemy for which one day he was about to play. The opponent against whom he lost the ring of 2008. Against which he won the last in 2010.

Chants of "MVP! MVP!"

Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of basketball, lit up gold and purple in memory. Dorsal 8 and 24 were projected in the circle. Legendary narrator Mike Breen could barely speak through tears. "I don't feel like doing this broadcast. And I know that many players don't feel like a player. It's a very, very sad day," he said on the air. Kyrie Irving , whom he had a very close relationship with Bryant, did not play.

For one night Trae Young changed his number 11 to Bryant's 8. The Atlanta Hawks base, which this year will be All-Star with only 21 years, trained last summer with Kobe.

Since his retirement, Kobe prided himself on serving as a mentor to the young stars. "The titles come and go. There will always be another team that wins the team, another player who wins the MVP. But if you want to create something that survives for generations, you have to help inspire the new generations. They will do great things and in turn they will inspire those who come behind. And that's when you manage to create something that lasts forever. That's the most beautiful thing. " His legacy will live forever.

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