Lakers bring in grief counselors to help process Kobe Bryant’s death

The Los Angeles Lakers, basketball fans and many more around the world are in a state of grief, one day after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning near Los Angeles.

Murals and make-shift memorials, from Kobe’s High School Lower Merion in Philadelphia to Staples Center, and even the Lakers practice facility, have popped up everywhere. But the hurt is especially raw for employees of the Lakers, many of whom knew Bryant over his 20-year career. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, grief counselors have been brought in for group therapy and 1-on-1 counseling.

Kobe Bryant wasn’t just a Lakers player, he was a 20-year Laker employee that had many relationships with other Laker employees. As such, the team has brought in grief counselors to the office today to provide comfort and guidance in both group and 1-on-1 sessions, per a source

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 27, 2020

While LeBron James has yet to speak on the matter, both Kyle Kuzma and Anthony Davis shared their grief on Instagram over Kobe’s passing.

View this post on Instagram

Damn I’ve been messed up all day…….I grew up trying to be like you. I would watch YouTube highlights as a kid trying to mimic you (and I still do) I would go to the gym as a kid and shoot fade-aways for hours acting as if every shot I took was at the buzzer just like you. Then 3 years ago I became a laker. You became family & a mentor to me. As a young kid I would of done anything in the world to meet you and as a rookie I had my opportunity. A dinner. A dinner with my idol Kobe Bryant. Talking about basketball, life and business with you at that moment changed my life forever man. I’m teared up just trying to write this but Kobe thank you for being a brother to me. Anything I ever needed from you, was just a call away. Thank you for all the knowledge. Thank you for just being a friend. Your inner drive is something that will never be match. Heroes come and go but you my guy will truly last forever. OUT.

A post shared by Kyle Kuzma (@kuz) on Jan 26, 2020 at 6:11pm PST

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Man this is a tough one for me! You were the first guy to put me under your wing and show me the ins and outs of the league. Had so many great convos about so many things and I will cherish those moments forever. Love you forever, Bean! #RIPKobe #RIPGiGi 😔

A post shared by Anthony Davis (@antdavis23) on Jan 27, 2020 at 9:05am PST

The Lakers are scheduled to play on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.