Update (January 28, 2020): LeBron James spoke highly of Kobe Bryant and their brotherhood just hours before his tragic death on Sunday. In just a matter of days since heralding their friendship, James spoke from a place of grief in a dedication to the late star on Monday night.
"I'm Not Ready but here I go," the note, which accompanied a series of images of the two basketball stars.
"Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!!" the caption read in part.
Members of the Lakers learned of Bryant's death while in transit back to their home state on Sunday morning, reports BuzzFeed. Bryant was recorded as he exited the plane and was seen visibly shaken and emotional.
Original story (January 27, 2020): LeBron James gave a moving statement about Kobe Bryant's effect on him just hours before the late NBA star died in a Sunday helicopter crash.
Reports of Bryant’s death shocked the world early Sunday morning after his helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. Saturday night, just hours before the fatal crash, LeBron James — forward for the Los Angeles Lakers and arguably one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA — surpassed Bryant’s career NBA points record.
During the Lakers' loss, James scored 27 points against the 76ers at Wells Fargo Stadium in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown. After the game, James gave a tribute to Bryant while speaking to locker room reporters, and the video has since become a chilling reminder of how special the Mamba was.
LeBron talking about how Kobe inspired him, 15 hours before Kobe died. Hard to watch pic.twitter.com/qnYHfuQLV3
— Jake Emery (@emers4) January 26, 2020
James, who is often compared to the five-time NBA champion, begins by sharing how much he admired Bryant.
“It was a dream come true for me just to be able to line up alongside of him, just admiring him for so many years and him, seeing him from afar, being able to be in practices with him, me watching and learning. I mean it’s just too much, the story is too much,” James said.
In the summer of 2018, two years after Bryant retired with a historic 60-point game, James signed to the Lakers in a shocking trade from his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. When asked about James joining the Lakers, Bryant responded: "I love it!" He was convinced that James would bring the Lakers another championship, and even after injury issues during the 2018 season, Bryant consistently spoke encouraging words to the player.
“It doesn’t make sense, and just to make a long story short. Now I’m here in a Lakers uniform, in Philadelphia, where he’s from. Where one of the first times I ever met him, he gave me his shoes, he won all-star weekend. It’s just, it’s surreal,” James continued.
“It doesn’t make no sense,” he added. “And I guess the universe just puts things in your life and I guess when you’re living the right way or you just giving everything to whatever you’re doing, things just happen organically and it’s not supposed to make sense and it just happens.”
James attempted to hold back tears while recounting the history the two shared and said “sorry” while wiping his eyes.
“I’m just happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players that ever played, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. Man got two jerseys hanging up in the Staples Center. It’s just crazy,” James said.
In what would become Bryant’s last tweet, the 20-year career player addressed the historical feat.
“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames,” Bryant said. “Much respect my brother #33644.”
The numbers are a reference to Bryant’s total career points. James now lands at No. 3 of all time with 33,655.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother ???????? #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Fans began swarming the Staples Center to gather in mourning under a large memorial picture of the Oscar winner. As the team returned to home court, James is seen walking somberly, wiping tears and giving hugs.
LeBron James in tears exiting team plane. Someone he looked up to in Kobe! #RIP
pic.twitter.com/YcX03uhSOZ— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) January 26, 2020
This tragedy has touched so many that knew Bryant and those who were just fans from afar like James once was.
