LeBron Details Challenging Week Following Kobe Bryant’s Passing

After nearly a week of mourning Kobe Bryant’s passing, the Lakers got back to work on Friday night. Still, LeBron James and his teammates couldn’t hold back the tears during a touching tribute to Kobe before taking on the Portland Trail Blazers.

James and the rest of his teammates wore Kobe Bryant jerseys ahead of the clash with the Blazers.

“It was just to show our appreciation,” James said. “We were wearing the oversized jersey, the wristband, the shooting sleeve, his shoes. We were just showing our appreciation and love that he gave us way before he knew us. We’re brothers, and that’s just what this is pretty much all about.”

An unthinkable helicopter accident ended the lives of Bryant, his daughter, and seven others. The tragedy hit James harder than most having passed the Lakers icon on the NBA’s all-time scoring list the night before. LeBron even spoke with Kobe that night.

“I think everybody is emotional tonight and we all have our individual reasons why emotion hits us,” LeBron said on Kobe Bryant’s passing. “We all have this brotherhood and this family and to be a part of this bigger organization which also naturally brings in even more emotion.

“For me, I was telling my wife a couple days ago that seeing Kobe play basketball for 20 years with the Lakers from when he was 18 to 38, I was like, you know what’s crazy, is that the last three years, in all the success he had, five rings, the All-Star game MVPs, the MVP of the league, all-team everything, all-life, all-world, all-basketball, these last three years was the happiest I’ve ever seen him.”

The Lakers Will Have To Stay Strong During The Healing Process

Unfortunately for James and the Lakers organization, Los Angeles lost the game on Friday night at the Staples Center. 

The Lakers will now try to pick up the pieces and take on Luke Walton’s Sacramento Kings on Saturday. The grieving will continue, and there’s no telling when this franchise will start to feel normal again, but staying active and together can only help the healing process.

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