Although many NBA players have spoken about Kobe Bryant following the Lakers legend’s death in a helicopter crash on Sunday, many of those who knew him well have taken time before speaking publicly on the tragedy.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant was among those who waited. After Tuesday’s practice, the superstar spoke fondly of his old Team USA teammate and Western Conference opponent:
Kobe Bryant was just a joy to be around. He would display every emotion when you [were] around him. As a competitor, you hated playing against him. As someone that admired him, you just loved being in his presence. It’s one of those things as a young hooper, he meant the world to us.
"You would display every emotion when you were around him" – @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/RkTKSkihTO
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 28, 2020
Durant expanded further on the impact of Bryant’s passing:
It is hard to comprehend all of this. … Just having that time and those moments with Kobe, it was always about pressing forward. You know what I mean? And, I think, at this time it’s so hard to so. With, just the amount of impact he had on all of us, it’s hard to keep going right now. … I know we are all just mourning.
"It's made so many people in the world so sad…it's hard to comprehend all of this" – @KDTrey5 on Kobe pic.twitter.com/jhCpAEPklv
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 28, 2020