CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The United Center was lit purple and gold to honor basketball legend Kobe Bryant, after he was killed, along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.
Chicago native Ryan Catolico made a special stop Monday by the United Center - a different walking path for his dog, but also a moment for the Kobe fan to reflect.
"I was too young to feel MJ's impact on the game, but Kobe made me love the game," he said.
The house that Michael built was decorated in purple and gold, with images of Kobe Bryant on all the video boards.
"I wore his jersey, bought his shoes. I watched most of his games," Catolico said. "It's hard to take it all in."
Catolico had that jersey on under his winter coat, and he was not alone. A steady trickle of fans wearing Lakers No. 8 or No. 24 threads have walked by or pulled up, snapped a picture or paused a moment and remembered Kobe Bryant on Madison Street on Monday.
Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson released a statement on behalf of the Bulls:
“The Chicago Bulls organization is terribly saddened about the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other passengers in today’s horrific helicopter crash in California. While he leaves us far too soon, his legacy and persona will forever be remembered. One of the best to have ever played the game of basketball, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Bryant family and the other families affected.”
Chicago Bulls Coach Jim Boylen spoke to WBBM Newsradio's Rick Gregg about the different ways Bulls players and coaches have been affected by the deadly helicopter crash.
The basketball world also reacted to the news.
“We laughed and joked about the Mamba mentality. We're all going to need it right now," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said through tears before his team played in Orlando.
Madison Square Garden was lit up in the Lakers' gold and purple colors for the Sunday game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Nets star Kyrie Irving didn't play, leaving the arena after hearing of Bryant's death.
The 18-time All-Star made his first All-Star appearance at MSG in 1998, a passing of the torch game in which Michael Jordan played for the final time as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Bryant later set the scoring record at the current arena when he scored 61 points in 2009, a mark that was later bettered by Carmelo Anthony.
Bryant played twice against Rivers and the Celtics for the championship, with Boston winning in 2008 and the Lakers taking the 2010 title, when Bryant captured his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award.
“We always liked to reminisce. We would always laugh at our versions of our losses," Rivers said. “You know, when we beat them in 2008, he had his version. And when they beat us in 2010, I had my version, and then we would laugh at how different we looked at the games."
Johnson, just days after giving an emotional speech during a memorial service for former NBA Commissioner David Stern, was devastated again after Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among those killed in Southern California.
Bryant also helped the U.S. win Olympic titles in 2008 and 2012, after the Americans had been shut out of gold medals in major international basketball competitions since 2000.
“He was in constant pursuit of doing something special and there will never be a greater warrior in our sport,” said Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Bryant on those teams after trying to recruit him to Duke.
“He was not only one of the greatest basketball players ever, he was also the hardest working player I’ve ever been around,” Boeheim tweeted. “I was so fortunate to have known him and coached him with Team USA. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Vanessa, and the Bryant family.”
The list goes on...