‘Great loss’: Orlando Magic, LA Clippers coaches react to Kobe Bryant’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. — Legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday afternoon.

Coaches from the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers reacted to the news in a press conference.

“He means a lot to me, obviously. You know, he was such a great opponent. You know, that’s what you want in sports,” said Clippers head coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers was very emotional during the interview. He had a hard time talking about Bryant and what he meant to him and the National Basketball League. Rivers described Bryant’s death as a “great loss.”

“Just so many people he touched. Looking at my young players and seeing how emotional they are, they didn’t know him. It just tells you how far his reach was,” Rivers said.

Watch Doc Rivers talk about Bryant’s death:

Watch: Doc Rivers on Kobe Bryant's death Clippers head coach Doc Rivers spoke before the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers game on the death of Kobe Bryant.

Magic head coach Steve Clifford said it was too soon to talk about what Bryant meant to him. Clifford spent the 2012-13 season with the Lakers and called the news “tragic."

“It’s an honor to even have to been, just to be around him for one season," Clifford said.

Watch Magic head coach Steve Clifford react to Bryant’s death:

Watch: Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford reacts to Kobe Bryant's death Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford reacts to Kobe Bryant's death.

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