It's Hard for LeBron James to Move On from His Friend Kobe Bryant's Death, He Admits

The Lakers took on the Celtics on Sunday and came out victorious, yet still, LeBron's heart was looming heavy from the death of his friend Kobe!

The sports realm lost a legendary player when Kobe Bryant's helicopter carrying himself and his daughter, Gigi Bryant, went down in Calabasas, California, near Los Angeles on the morning of January 26, 2020. Undoubtedly one of the most disturbing news of this century, millions took the time to remember the unforgettable basketball player.

Almost a month later, Kobe's former team, Los Angeles Lakers, stepped onto the court to face-off against Boston Celtics and emerged victoriously. Yet the mood of the star player LeBron James wasn't exactly light with the win, all because of his grieving heart. The game took place only a day before Kobe's public memorial and celebration of life set to take place on the team's home arena.

Watch: Kobe Bryant Memorial LIVE: A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant

The public face of the team, James, spoke out of his core about Kobe's passing, honoring Bryant and what he meant to the team, the NBA, the city, and the nation in the Lakers' first game at home since the accident. The mourning player showed his emotions many times and admitted to keeping the late star's jersey in his locker to this day.

Recommended: Late Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Soulfully Honored at Grammys 2020

As reported by Mark Medina of USA Today, LeBron James stated in the memorial, 

His jersey is sitting in my locker right now. But it just puts me in a difficult mindstate if I continue to harp on it, if you can respect that.

Keeping the spirit of the game alive, James refrained from spilling out his emotions in the court, but it's not hard to spot at times that he carried a heavy burden from the passing of the legend Kobe Bryant.

LeBron James still keeps Kobe Bryant's jersey in his locker.
Source: BusinessInsider

While speaking at the first game back in remembrance of the 'Black Mamba,' James tossed away his prepared notes and spoke out of his heart. "Laker Nation, I would be selling y'all short if I read off this s—, so I' mma go straight from the heart," James said -"As I look all around this arena, we're all grieving, we're all hurting, we're all heartbroken. But when we're going through things like this, the best thing you can do is lean on the shoulders of your family and from Sunday morning all the way until the point."

Watch: LeBron James Gives EMOTIONAL Speech about Kobe Bryant

LeBron went on to talk about how he heard about just how much of a family the Laker Nation was before he got there a year before, and that was precisely what he saw the week of Bryant's passing. He saw the love come not only from the players, not only from the coaching staff, not only from the organization but from everybody.

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Bryant's public memorial was held on Monday, February 24, at 12 p.m. ET. where multiple personalities, not just from the sports world, took to stage to share stories and memories of the star and his daughter. One thing is for sure; the world will never forget the tales of the legend, Kobe Bryant.

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