Orlando (United States) (AFP)

Since the tragic January 26, date of the accidental death of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers, LeBron James the first, have sworn to reconquer the NBA title, ten years after the last gleaned by the idol, a supplement of soul sometimes bordering on mysticism.

Story-telling or pure sincerity?

One does not seem to prevent the other about this story that promised to be written during this end of the season, as the Lakers never miss an opportunity to evoke, even invoke "Kobe ".

Now that they are only four victories away from a 17th coronation, there is no reason why they should stop on the right path, at the foot of the last step so loved by their glorious elder. , winner of five titles in seven finals.

To this end, the "Mamba mentality" which animated Bryant, made of an unwavering thirst for victory, can only be a source of inspiration.

"Every time you put on the purple and gold jersey, you think of his heritage. You think of him and what he meant for this franchise for over 20 years," LeBron James said on Saturday night at the come out of his fabulous performance (38 pts, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) to eliminate Denver in the N.5 game in the Western Conference final.

And to add: "What he demanded of his teammates, what he demanded of himself. We have some similarities in this sense".

- "To perpetuate its heritage" -

In terms of leadership, exemplarity in effort, talent in basketball, that goes without saying.

Except that to definitively enter the hearts of the "Laker Nation", he will have to beat Miami and bring the trophy back to LA.

In the summer of 2018, he arrived in the shoes of a successor to Kobe Bryant, to bring the club to the top, without success in his first season, the fault of a groin injury.

Since the death of the latter, it is a much heavier status of heir that is played for "LBJ", whose tribute paid, in tears, during the first match played after the tragedy has remained in the memories.

And his promise with: "I will continue with my teammates to carry on his legacy, as long as we can continue to play basketball, because that's what Kobe Bryant would want."

Here they are on a mission, very close to sticking to it.

Beyond karma, some have seen signs over and over.

James the first to observe, after the victory (120-113) against Sacramento for the second game after Kobe's death, that the Lakers had scored 81 points in the first period (i.e. Bryant's record in one game) and that the The combined total of points scored by the two teams was 242. Now the 24 and the 2 were the numbers of Kobe and her daughter Gianna, who also died in the helicopter crash.

- "Weird things" -

"There were strange things happening, it was really strange", assured "LBJ", who must not have remained insensitive to the coincidences noted by a certain Dr Guru on social networks, between the current play-off campaign of the Lakers and that of 2009.

At the time, they had beaten Houston in the 2nd round, then Denver in the conference final and Bryant had won his 4th ring in Orlando against the Magic.

The current team also eliminated the Rockets in the 2nd round, then the Nuggets in the conference final and LeBron will try to win his 4th ring in the Orlando bubble.

Sign of fate or not, the Lakers have in any case seen the benevolent hand of Kobe land on that of Anthony Davis, when the winger entered a three-point shot at the buzzer, which gave the victory in the match N.2 vs. Denver.

"It's a shot that Bryant would have succeeded," said coach Frank Vogel afterwards, when Davis pointed out: "we wore the + Mamba + version jersey (black and gold). We never want to lose in that one." .

"When we start the play-offs there will be opportunities and situations where we remember the things Kobe was defending and his approach to competition. I think that will help us in our mission," predicted Vogel.

© 2020 AFP