Lebron James and the Lakers face Portland for the first game without Kobe. - Mike Stobe / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

"Work therapy": in the words of coach Frank Vogel, the Lakers, still very marked by the death of Kobe Bryant, are trying to refocus on their NBA title goal which involves a return to play Friday against Portland.

"We focus on work," Vogel told reporters at the team's training center in El Segundo, south of Los Angeles, after the day's session preceded by an outdoor football warm-up .

"We are trying to find the right balance to make the guys feel good," said Vogel of the program. "Today's outdoor session is not the first time we are doing it, but it feels good to be there," he said, adding that "the laughter is always a good remedy for something like that. "

Lakers-Clippers postponed

Since Sunday, the Lakers, the NBA and the world of sport in general have been shocked by the death of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter accident in the northwest of Los Angeles .

LeBron James and his teammates were on their way back from Philadelphia where they had lost the day before when the tragedy happened. An image showing him in tears on the airport tarmac went around the world before he expressed his grief on Instagram Monday evening.

Los Angeles devastated and orphan after the death of Kobe Bryant https://t.co/qLo1WnGO7c

- 20 Minutes (@ 20Minutes) January 29, 2020

After which, the NBA decided to postpone the LA duel scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Staples Center between the Lakers and the Clippers. The successive matches at the rate of one every two, three days in the NBA, looming Friday the reception of Portland, still at home.

The title, ten years after that of Kobe?

After a light session and a lunch with coaching on Tuesday, the players completed a classic training session on Wednesday. On Thursday they focused "on playing the Blazers and running tactical systems," said Frank Vogel.

For the Lakers, who dominate the Western Conference (36-10), the objective remains the same as at the start of the season with the arrival of Anthony Davis to support LeBron James: winning a 17th NBA title, ten years after the last gleaned with Kobe Bryant. Friday, they will have to overcome emotion during an evening that promises to be moving at the Staples Center, where the memory of their glorious elder will be honored.

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