INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Michael Jordan has led the tributes to fellow NBA legend Kobe Bryant after his death in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.Fans of the LA
Lakers hero from across the worlds of sport, entertainment, politics and beyond have expressed their shock at his sudden passing, as well as
current and former basketball greats.Bryant was one of nine people killed when the private helicopter came down in Calabasas, California, on
Sunday, with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna among the victims.Image:Bryant and Jordan facing off in 1997Jordan, widely regarded as the
greatest basketball player of all-time, has described Bryant as "one of the greats of the game and a creative force".He said in a statement:
"I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing
Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling."Legend - Career highlights of Lakers starJordan added: "I loved Kobe - he was like a brother to
We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much
He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force."Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply -
and took great pride in his daughter's love for the game of basketball."Another legend quick to pay tribute was Bryant's former Lakers
teammate Shaquille O'Neal, who tweeted: "There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi -
my brother @kobebryant."I love u and u will be missed
My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board
IM SICK RIGHT NOW."Image:Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crashFormer Lakers president Magic Johnson said he was "in disbelief" and
had been "crying all morning"."It's hard to accept
Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players," he added.Image:Kobe Bryant soars for a dunkGolfer Tiger Woods was
a friend of Bryant's and played the final round at the Farmers Insurers Open in San Diego unaware that he had died.His caddie Joe LaCava
broke the news to him at the end of his round, having refrained from telling him between holes, prompting a clearly shocked Woods to
exclaim: "Excuse me?"Image:Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant in 1997Afterwards, Woods, a lifelong Lakers fan, told reporters: "He came in the
league and I turned pro right around the same time and we had our 20-year run together."It's a shocker to everyone, unbelievably sad, and
one of the more tragic days
I was just told about five minutes ago."Life is very fragile as we all know
You can be gone at any given time and we have to appreciate the moments that we have
I just can't imagine what his family's going through right now."Image:Bryant was a global superstarWith the 62nd Grammy Awards taking place
at the Staples Center, the same arena where Bryant became a Lakers legend, the biggest night in music opened with a tribute to the NBA
star.Host Alicia Keys said: "We're all feeling crazy sadness right now
Because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero."'Tonight is for Kobe': Grammy stars' tributesImage:The
Grammy Awards opened with a tribute to BryantOther Bryant fans from around the world have paid tribute on social media.Sprinter Usain Bolt
said he "still can't believe" the news and shared a picture of himself with the LA Lakers superstar.Rapper Kanye West tweeted a picture of
himself with the basketball star and posted: "Kobe, We love you brother We're praying for your family and appreciate the life you've lived
and all the inspiration you gave."Comedian Kevin Hart wrote: "This honestly doesn't make sense I just saw you man
This hurts my heart."Actress Whoopi Goldberg said the star was a "hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind
to me - my family".Gianni Bryant shared dad's love for gameImage:Kobe Bryant pictured with his five NBA titlesIn an Instagram post, Justin
Bieber wrote: "You always encouraged me mamba
Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day."Bryant's nickname during and after his career was Black Mamba.Bieber
also shared an old photograph of the pair smiling together.Singer Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram: "Kobe you were always so sweet to me
not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse!"Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry hailed Bryant
as an "inspiration" and tweeted two photos of the pair meeting.He said: "Literally devastated to hear the news about @kobebryant, his
daughter Gianna and all those on board the helicopter crash
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and also of the other victims."Cristiano Ronaldo called Bryant a "true legend and inspiration",
and Lionel Messi posted on Instagram: "I have no words All my love for Kobe's family and friends."It was a pleasure to meet you and share
You were a genius like few others."Stars of tennis have also expressed their disbelief at Bryant's sudden death, as many of the sport's top
pros continue to compete at the Australian Open.Novak Djokovic, who will play his quarter-final in Melbourne on Tuesday, was among those who
knew Bryant and had spoken of their friendship in a TV interview just a few days ago.He wrote on Instagram: "My heart truly mourns over the
Kobe was a great mentor and friend
There are not enough words to express my deepest sympathies to the Bryants and every family suffering from this tragedy."Rafael Nadal added
his condolences on Twitter, saying: "I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsman in
Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and other passengers
My condolences to his wife and families
I am in shock."In a post on Instagram stories, Andy Murray wrote: "This has hit me hard
Thinking of all his family, friends and colleagues."US gymnast Simone Biles also posted a photo of herself with the NBA star and other
members of the American gymnastics team.And the children's TV programme Sesame Street remembered its "friend" Bryant, who appeared on the
show to explain the word "miniature" with the help of Abby Cadabby.Bryant was an 18-time All Star and named the NBA's Most Valuable Player
in 2008.When he announced his plans to retire in 2015, he was described by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as "one of the greatest players in
the history of our game".Image:Bryant pictured with his daughter Gianna in Las Vegas in July last yearOn his retirement, Bryant wrote a poem
called "Dear Basketball", which was later turned into an acclaimed animated film narrated by the player.The short film won an Oscar for Best
Animated Short Film in 2018.British actor Idris Elba said Bryant "would always be remembered" for his life on and off the court - and US
presidents past and present have also paid tribute.Actor Ben Affleck also paid tribute and said the tragedy "reminds us just how short and
precious life is, and a reason to be grateful and celebrate life while we can".Leonardo DiCaprio tweeted: "Kobe was truly larger than life,
May he and all those who lost their lives today rest in peace
Love and condolences to his family
LA will never be the same."Image:Fans have flocked to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to pay their respectsImage:A basketball lies amid
flowers at a makeshift shrine at the Staples Center in LA/Donald Trump tweeted: "Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great
basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life
He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future."The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even
Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family
May God be with you all!"His predecessor Barack Obama said: "Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been
just as meaningful a second act
To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents."Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on
an unthinkable day."Earlier on Sunday, the NBA Twitter account shared footage of Bryant and fellow NBA star LeBron James, who had surpassed
Bryant to become the league's third-highest scorer of all time.Other NBA stars have also shared tributes to the legend.LeBron James in tears
over Bryant deathNBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird said: "Kobe was not only an icon in the sports arena, he was a man of the world and touched so
many lives and communities in the most positive ways."His star was continuing to rise every day and he knew no limits because of his many
intellectual and creative talents and desire to give back to others - his passion for the game, for his family and for others was apparent
in everything he accomplished."Image:Kobe Bryant in action for the Los Angeles LakersAnd Pau Gasol, who won two of his championship titles
with Bryant, tweeted: "Beyond devastated my big brother I can't, I just can't believe it."Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player Bill Russell
wrote: "I'm at a loss for words
@kobebryant was a long-time friend, an inspiration and we shared our first ever commercial @espn together as professionals
#RIPMAMBA"Image:David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay meet Bryant at a Lakers game in 2010Image:Bryant exchanges jerseys with former Arsenal
striker Thierry Henry in 2016The Orlando Magic, who are facing the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, said they would hold a moment of silence
before the game in honour of Bryant.During the game between San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, the players paid a fitting tribute to the
star by letting the 24-second shot clock run out to start the game in honour of Kobe, who wore number 24 throughout the latter half of his
career with the Lakers.As the clock ran down, fans of both sides chanted Kobe's name.
