LeBron James paying tribute in person to the late Kobe Bryant. The tribute promised to be moving, it was more than that, again. The Lakers star paid tribute to his predecessor, who died Sunday in the crash of his helicopter, in front of 19,000 fans at the Staples Center.
"I know that at some point we will have a memorial for Kobe," he said, his voice filled with emotion just after crying during the American anthem. He threw his notes scribbled on a piece of paper on the floor, preferring to "speak from the bottom of his heart".
"Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we've seen over the last three years.” Pic.twitter.com/0sS7e91cuz
- Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020"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 big as he could be. "
"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 went tattoo on a calf "Mamba 4 Life" ("Mamba for life") written under a snake wrapped in a 24 and an 8. "I will continue with my teammates to perpetuate his legacy, not only this year but as long as we we can keep playing basketball, which we love, because that's what Kobe Bryant would like, "he said.
"It was pure and sincere"
After the match finally lost to the Blazers (127-119), James, hidden behind sunglasses, appeared at a press conference, accompanied by Anthony Davis. Asked about this moment when he decided not to read his notes, he explained: "I first wanted to make sure that I recognized all the names of those who had died on Sunday morning and I didn't want to spoil it, so I looked at the names on a piece of paper. But after I decided to let the words come straight from my heart and whatever came out of it, it was pure and it was sincere. ”
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Death of Kobe Bryant: "Laughter is a good remedy", the Lakers try to think again about basketball
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