Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson was visibly shaken and struggled to control his emotions as he spoke Sunday about Kobe Bryant’s death in a California helicopter crash.
Atkinson’s eyes were rimmed with red and brimming with tears as he addressed reporters ahead of a scheduled 6 p.m. game between the Nets and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“I’m just going to make a brief statement on behalf of the Nets organization. We’d like to express our sincerest condolences to the Bryant family and everybody affected by the tragedy,” he said before letting out a loud sigh.