LOS ANGELES – Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs visited Staples Center for the first time since the tragic passing of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The Spurs faced the Clippers on Monday night and will face Bryant's former team on Tuesday night.

Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas just over a week ago. The entire basketball community has been mourning ever since, trying to come to grips with a reality that, somehow, no longer includes Bryant.

Ahead of Tuesday's game, Popovich addressed members of the media and opened up on his first game at Staples Center since Bryant's death.

“It’s certainly on everybody’s mind,” admitted Popovich. “It's been on everybody's mind since the tragedy, but to be here and feel it … You feel it all over the city, in the hotel, walking the streets, when you come into the building. You can't help but reminisce. All the thoughts go through your head, mostly what a tragedy it was and what the family is going through.”

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The Spurs have been dealing with this in their own right. Popovich may have had his battles against Bryant, but it was DeMar DeRozan who was a close friend of Bryant. DeRozan was one of the first athletes to rock Bryant's signature shoes upon release. Understandably, he has been taking it the hardest.

News of Kobe Bryant's passing came just minutes before the Spurs took to the court against the Raptors at home. Popovich was seen consoling DeRozan on the Spurs' bench.

Most of all, Popovich feels for Vanessa Bryant, the Bryant family, and the rest of the families affected by this horrific event.

“There’s nothing like losing somebody,” a somber Popovich added. “Nothing like it. And nobody knows what it’s like unless you’ve done it, so I really feel for them all. The memories will always be there, but you just feel for the families.”

Tuesday night's game between the Spurs and Lakers might be even harder to play through as the new ‘8,' '24,' and ‘KB' decals on the court will be a sure reminder of Bryant's death.