Longtime Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss passed away today at 5:55am after a long illness. He was 80. #RIPDrBuss twitter.com/Lakers/status/…

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 18, 2013

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The sports world is mourning the loss of longtime Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who died early Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Buss, 80, was hospitalized last week with an undisclosed form of cancer. His immediate cause of death was kidney failure, according to the Associated Press.

»PHOTO GALLERY: Jerry Buss, 1933-2013

The search term Jerry Buss was trending on Google by 9 a.m., with more than 50,000 searches. The term “RIP Jerry Buss” also trended nationally on Twitter by mid-morning.

A heartfelt tweet from Mark Cuban was retweeted 1,481 times by 9:30 a.m.

RIP Jerry Buss. Your encouragement and support along with your stories of staying true to yourself had an enormous impact on me.—
Mark Cuban (@mcuban) February 18, 2013

Buss’ death happened just a day after the 2013 NBA All-Star game in Houston, where the West won over the East, 143-138. Timberwolves player Kevin Love, a former UCLA basketball star, was not part of this year’s All-Star activities, but also tweeted out his dismay at hearing of Buss’ death.

Huge loss for the @nba and the basketball world. RIP Jerry Buss.—
Kevin Love (@kevinlove) February 18, 2013

Miami Heat star LeBron James, who scored 19 points during Sunday’s game, sent out a simple tweet, echoing the sentiments of thousands of basketball fans across the country.

#RIP Jerry Buss.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 18, 2013

Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal, who won three NBA rings with the Lakers under Buss, called him a great friend and mentor.

I'm deeply saddened over da loss of the great Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a dear friend, mentor,and brilliant business mind thank u 4 8 gr8 yrs—
  (@SHAQ) February 18, 2013

Magic Johnson, a former Lakers star and team executive, called Buss “an incredible friend.”

My thoughts and prayers are with the family & friends of Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a great man and an incredible friend.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2013

Former KCAL9 Sports Central commentator James worthy tweeted that Buss was “the greatest sports owner.”

Condolences to the Buss family. Dr Buss was not only the greatest sports owner, but a true friend & just a really cool guy. Loved him dearly

— James Worthy (@James_Worthy42) February 18, 2013

Former Lakers point guard Derek Fisher sent out two tweets to express his condolences.

Today the world lost a visionary and one of the most successful sports figures of all time. But today I lost a friend and mentor.—
DerekFisher (@derekfisher) February 18, 2013

He forever changed my life. May he rest in peace and my prayers are with his family that he loved so much. #RIPDrBuss

— DerekFisher (@derekfisher) February 18, 2013