Los Angeles (AFP)
NBA star LeBron James vowed Friday in a touching speech before playing against Portland that he would continue with his Lakers teammates "to carry on the legacy" of icon Kobe Bryant, who died in an accident Sunday 'helicopter.
James, the emotionally charged voice just after crying during the American anthem, addressed 19,000 fans at the Staples Center, before the Lakers replay basketball for the first time since the tragedy, which also cost life to one of Bryant's daughters, Gianna, and seven others.
"I know that at some point we will have a memorial for Kobe," he began, after throwing his scribbled notes on the floor, preferring to "speak from the bottom of my heart".
"But I see it as a celebration tonight. A celebration of twenty years of blood, sweat, tears, bruised body, countless hours, determination, to be as tall as it could be" , said the "King".
"Tonight we celebrate the kid who came here at 18, retired at 38 and has probably become the best father we have seen in the past three years," said James, who became tattoo on a calf "Mamba 4 Life" ("Mamba for life") written under a snake wrapped in a 24 and an 8. "Black Mamba" was the nickname of Kobe Bryant.
"I will continue with my teammates to continue his legacy not only this year but as long as we can continue to play basketball, which we love, because that is what Kobe Bryant would like," he concluded. .
A promise that expresses all the determination, already very strong yet, but now tenfold of James to walk in the footsteps of the victory of his glorious elder.
Leaders of the Western conference, the Lakers, reinforced this summer by Anthony Davis, aspire to win a 17th NBA title, ten years after the 16th won by Kobe Bryant.
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