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Jonathan White

The death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash, aged 41, on Sunday has been felt around the world, including China, where the former Los Angeles Lakers star was among the most popular athletes.
Bryant’s death was the top search term on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform on Monday morning, with over one billion searches and rising quickly. That was more than double the next most-searched term for confirmed cases of the China coronavirus.


Two more searches related to Bryant were also in the top five. LeBron James’ reaction to the news was as searched as the coronavirus, while the death of Bryant’s daughter Gigi, who was among the nine who died in the crash, was also over 5 million.
Thousands of Chinese fans had posted Weibo tributes to NBA legend Bryant, with many contributing to Weibo’s online book of condolence. Several Chinese celebrities also posted.


Composer Gao Xiaosong posted videos from outside the Staples Centre where fans had gathered to mourn Bryant. Actress Kelly Lin Hsi-lei paid her own tribute.
“I got up early in the morning and saw the news from my friends. I can’t believe it. Life is precious but fragile. We must cherish everyone around us! My heart is broken,” she wrote.
Chinese musician Wang Feng also recounted his memories of Bryant.

“Incredible and unbelievable! I don’t know what to say? If only today was April Fool's Day! I still remember almost two years ago, when he told me that a cartoon about basketball would be made soon. Later the cartoon won an Oscar!” he wrote.
“I dare not imagine this is true, nor the grief of his family! The goodness he passed to this world has already surpassed basketball, and everything he has made the world believe: as long as you firmly believe that, as long as you never stop, the sun at four in the morning will rise for every soul.”

 
Unsurprisingly it was the basketball world that led the tributes. Former teammate Sun Yue, who won the NBA championship with Bryant at the Lakers in 2009, wrote on his Weibo.
“The first time I met you was at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games. I shouted your name in the crowd and told you that I would be your teammate. You looked back at me and waved at me with a smile,” he wrote.
“The first time I played against you was in the Olympic arena. The fledgling me and you, who was already standing at the top of basketball. You let me experience the highest level of basketball.

“After I came to the Lakers, I was lucky to be your teammate. This is the dream of many people. In just one year, I learned a lot of things you should do as a professional player. I benefited for life.
“Every time we met after leaving the Lakers, you were so warm and humble, and you used your personality and charm to make me understand the phrase ‘One day Zijin, lifelong Lakers!’” Zijin, which translates to "purple gold" in Mandarin refers to the Lakers trademark uniform.
“It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago, we were still remembering that time together,” he continued.
“You haven’t left, you have influenced a generation with your Mamba spirit, and we will go strong with your spirit! You, always RIP in my heart.”

Yi Jianlian, the Chinese Basketball Association record points scorer, was another of Bryant’s former teammates. He too paid tribute on Weibo, pointing to Bryant’s resilience when the pair faced similar injuries.
“I have rested for a month and a half. You have not rested for a day. Since then I have learned what it means to persist in you,” he wrote.
“You said, ‘I am not trying to challenge this injury, but I am stuck in it. Call me.’ Thank you! Kobe! Hope your father and daughter continue to enjoy basketball in heaven! We will always remember you! Rest in peace to the legend.”




















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RIP Kobe From sharing the same bday to opponents to teammates...respect for everything you did for the game and world. Gone too soon, lifes truly too precious #legend
A post shared by Jeremy Lin 林書豪 (@jlin7) on Jan 26, 2020 at 3:03pm PST



Beijing Ducks star player Jeremy Lin, who played with Bryant at the Lakers and against him during his decade-long NBA career, paid tribute on Instagram.
“RIP Kobe From sharing the same bday to opponents to teammates … respect for everything you did for the game and world. Gone too soon, life’s truly too precious #legend.”
Bryant has long had a huge following in China, where he maintained a strong presence with an online store and social media pages he updates regularly even after retirement. Most recently, he gave Chinese fans a new year greeting on Weibo. The lunar new year began on Saturday.
Kindred spirit Kobe Bryant’s death is China’s loss
His popularity in China reached a peak during the Beijing 2008 Olympics where he helped lead his team to win a gold medal.
The star featured in various television programmes and advertisements in China, including his own reality show in 2009, Kobe Mentu. He also launched a charity in China that contributes to sports and education for youngsters.


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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Kobe Bryant: China’s tributes led by ex-Lakers teammates as China mourns NBA star

Los Angeles Lakers fans in LeBron James and Kobe Bryant jerseys watch the NBA China Games 2019 in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters

Yi Jianlian, from China, newly acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers, poses in his new jersey during his introduction at the NBA basketball team's headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Sun Yue (9), of China, celebrates after scoring his first NBA points on a jumper against Milwaukee Bucks center Francisco Elson (9) during the fourth quarter of the basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

epa03100379 New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin (L) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant defends during the 2nd half of the game at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, USA, 10 February 2012. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT CORBIS OUT

Kobe Bryant death: ‘We miss you already’ – Tom Brady, Reese Witherspoon, Justin Bieber, Megan Rapinoe: athletes, entertainers, politicians pay tribute on social media

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant was a hero beyond the basketball court, with many athletes from other sports and entertainment stars mourning his death. Photo: Reuters

NBA legend Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his daughter, killed in California helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. Photo: AFP

Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. NBA basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter Gianna and three others were killed in the crash in Southern California on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Toronto Raptors players huddle together following a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Kobe Bryant, 41, dies in helicopter crash; daughter of ex-Los Angeles Lakers star and seven others dead

Los Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dies in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles. His 13-year-old daughter and three others are also dead. Photo: Reuters

A fan watches warmups while wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey after news reports of his death in a helicopter crash prior to an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)

FILE PHOTO: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (R) kisses the Most Valuable Player trophy as teammate Kobe Bryant kisses the NBA championship trophy as they celebrate in the locker room after winning the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, June 19, 2000. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

Houston Rockets center Tyson Chandler cries during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Denver. Bryant died in a California helicopter crash Sunday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jan 26, 2020; Calabasas, California, USA; Life long Kobe Bryant fans Amanda and Philip Gordon of the San Fernando Valley, embrace at the at the scene near the hillside where the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant crashed in Calabasas, CA. this morning. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Sport

China

Basketball


Former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Sun Yue, Yi Jianlian and Jeremy Lin lead the tributes of celebrities and fans
NBA legend’s death dominates social media ahead of deadly coronavirus



Kobe Bryant’s former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Sun Yue, Yi Jianlian and Jeremy Lin lead the tributes of celebrities and fans, while NBA legend’s death dominates social media ahead of deadly coronavirus.


Kobe Bryant: China’s tributes led by ex-Lakers teammates as China mourns NBA star

Former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Sun Yue, Yi Jianlian and Jeremy Lin lead the tributes of celebrities and fans NBA legend’s death dominates social media ahead of deadly coronavirus

Former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Sun Yue, Yi Jianlian and Jeremy Lin lead the tributes of celebrities and fans

NBA legend’s death dominates social media ahead of deadly coronavirus