Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant, just like the entire NBA community, is still in shock that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is no longer with us.

Durant spoke to Nets reporters on Tuesday about Bryant. The two-time Finals MVP said he felt like he knew Bryant his “whole life” since he's been following Kobe's journey since he was a kid:

“I felt like I knew him my whole life,” Durant said about Bryant, via ESPN. “We see him grow up; we see him retiring, going into his second phase of life. It's just so many people that are sad about this, and it hurts to even think about it.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
NBA news: Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·
Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal stands next to Kobe Bryant with GOAT signs in background
Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe BryantRandall Barnes ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James dumps fuel on Brian Windhorst feud with calloutMalik Brown ·

In 1,346 career games for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant cemented himself as an all-time great. Coming straight to the NBA from high school is no easy move, but Bryant finished his illustrious NBA career with averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard was an 18-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, 15-time All-NBA team member, two-time Finals MVP and five-time champion.

Bryant is the fourth-leading scoring in NBA history after LeBron James passed him on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, just a day before Kobe’s tragic death. LeBron took to Instagram on Monday to react to Kobe’s death. The two were very close, and one can only imagine how sad The King and the entire Lakers organization is at the moment.

The Lakers retired Bryant’s No. 8 and 24 jerseys last year. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as part of an incredible class when inductees are announced later this year.