Morant, Allen share thoughts on untimely death of Bryant

Ray Allen not only began his National Basketball Association career at the same time as Kobe Bryant, but he competed against him for world championships.

Ja Morant grew up idolizing Bryant and had just a brief acquaintance with the Los Angeles Lakers legend in his half of a season in the NBA.

However, both were touched with grief and sadness - as was most of the NBA world - at the news of Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven other people dying in a fiery helicopter crash on Sunday in California.

"Growing up, AAU, 8 years old, that's who I watched. Lakers vs. Celtics, to watch Kobe," Morant told Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian following his Memphis Grizzlies' 114-109 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee. "Shoot, I feel like every kid, when you were young if you had anything to throw in the trash you would shoot it and say 'Kobe!' "

The Grizzlies and Suns were playing just hours after the death of Bryant was announced. Memphis won the game's opening tip and Morant, the former Crestwood High School standout, dribbled out a 24-second shot clock violation to honor one of Bryant's uniform numbers. On the Suns' first possession, they held the ball for an 8-second half-court violation, paying homage to Bryant's other number.

"We were going out and trying to find some energy tonight to go out and compete and get a win," Morant told The Associated Press about playing in the somber atmosphere. "It's a tough night for everybody."

Morant scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Grizzlies to the win. In the final 4:06, with the Suns continuing to threaten the Memphis lead, Morant scored eight of 10 Memphis points and the only one where he didn't, he assisted on an alley-oop to Brandon Clarke.

Morant had his signed Kobe Bryant jersey and five pairs of Bryant sneakers on display at his locker following the game.

Allen, the former Hillcrest High School standout, talked of a what tremendous competitor Bryant was in a post on Instagram.

"This hurts so much! He was one of my brothers. I am so sad for all of us, we lost a great one today! Kobe was the ultimate competitor and I loved him for it. He made all of us step our games up. I just wish I could have one more moment with him to tell him thank you! Thank you Kobe for the example you set! Thank you for always bringing your best, regardless of who was on the other side. Thank you for showing us all what greatness looked like! You will be missed!"

Allen and Bryant were both selected in the 1996 draft, Allen fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves as a junior out of Connecticut and Bryant 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets as a 17-year-old out of high school. They were then traded - Allen to the Milwaukee Bucks and Bryant to the Lakers.

Bryant had three championship rings by the time he was 24. Allen didn't get his first until 2008 when his Boston Celtics beat Bryant's Lakers.

The Lakers won the title the next two years, beating the Celtics and Allen in 2010.