LeBron James refused to confirm if he attended Monday’s memorial for Kobe Bryant amid speculation he either was not at the Staples Center or asked not to be filmed.
The Los Angeles Lakers star was a notable absentee during the service, which was attended by past and present NBA stars including many of James’ current teammates, with Anthony Davis sat in the front row.
Despite being the face of the Lakers and a close friend of Bryant, James was not seen at the Staples Center and he did not want to be drawn on whether he attended the memorial.
Asked if he was at the memorial following a shooting practice on Tuesday, James told reporters: ‘Like I said, man, it’s just… I respect your question, for sure.
‘It was very emotional, very emotional day, very tough day for myself, for my family, for everyone involved.’
He continued: ‘The one thing I can come out of this saying is how strong and how bold and how powerful Vanessa is to stand up there the way she did, to give the speech the way she gave that speech. I commend her.
‘My heart is with her family still, with his three daughters that’s still here, with his wife, with his mom and dad, his sister.
‘It was just a very difficult day. Obviously celebration, but it was a difficult day for all of us. I’d appreciate it if we can move on tonight. That would be great.’
Asked how difficult it will be to move on, he added: ‘I mean we continue to live on his legacy and continue to have our hearts heavy with both sadness and with happiness for his family that are still here.
‘So, it’s not a closure. But it was a celebration, which was well received from not only the Laker faithful, not only the family here, but everybody around the world.’
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The NBA world honoured Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at their memorial service on February 24 at the Lakers home Staples Center. The ceremony was live-streamed on YouTube and shot various NBA stars like Warriors Stephen Curry and Lakers Anthony Davis attended the ceremony. However, fans later questioned 'Was LeBron James at the Kobe Bryant memorial''.
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Kobe Bryant memorial: Was LeBron James at the Kobe Bryant memorial?
Now while fans asked 'was LeBron James at the Kobe Bryant memorial'', Los Angeles Times had reported that the Lakers star was in attendance. Some people thought it was not correct that James was not filmed at the ceremony. However, some said that he might have asked not to be filmed during the Kobe Bryant memorial out of respect.
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'Was LeBron James at the Kobe Bryant memorial'' Fans curious about LeBron James
Though LeBron James was not personally seen at the Kobe Bryant memorial, he paid his respects to him via social media. On Twitter, he wrote '2/24' and added a purple and yellow heart. On his Instagram, he posted a photo consisting of the same symbols while adding a caption that said 'Mamba Forever'. However, fans still do not know the answer to the question ' 'was LeBron James at the Kobe Bryant memorial''.
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LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
A day before Kobe Bryant's death, LeBron James crossed the Lakers legend on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Kobe Bryant's last social media posts were also about LeBron James, congratulating the younger NBA star. During Kobe Bryant's death, James and the Lakers were travelling back from Bryant's hometown Philadelphia.
The morning of his death, LeBron James was seen crying and hugging people after exiting the plane in LA. This NBA season, Kobe Bryant had started attending NBA games again thanks to his daughter Gianna. During some Lakers games, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant interacted during the games, the photos of which James uploaded in his statement on Bryant and Gianna's death.
Also read | Lakers fans create impromptu Kobe Bryant memorial as LA mourns death of NBA legend
Lebron James appeared notably absent from yesterday's celebration of life service for Kobe Bryant. Here's what the L.A. Lakers star had to say about the gathering.
By McKenna Aiello Feb 26, 2020 1:18 AM
LeBron James is not willing to engage with speculation regarding his attendance at yesterday's celebration of life for Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers star and close friend of Kobe appeared notably absent from the service, which was attended by several of LeBron's teammates as well as other famous figures in the NBA. The cameras often panned to the celebrities seated inside Staples Center, but never to LeBron. The Los Angeles Times asked LeBron whether or not he skipped out on the memorial, but didn't get a clear answer on the matter. "Like I said, man, it's just... I respect your question, for sure," he said during Tuesday's shooting practice. "It was very emotional, very emotional day, very tough day for myself, for my family, for everyone involved." LeBron did, however, give praise to Vanessa Bryant, who eulogized her late husband and daughter, Gianna Bryant, in a touching speech. "The one thing I can come out of this saying is how strong and how bold and how powerful Vanessa is to stand up there the way she did, to give the speech the way she gave that speech. I commend her. My heart is with her family still, with his three daughters that's still here, with his wife, with his mom and dad, his sister. It was just a very difficult day. Obviously celebration, but it was a difficult day for all of us. I'd appreciate it if we can move on tonight. That would be great," he told the publication. LeBron said he doesn't expect to ever get "closure" from the tragedy, but looks forward to continuing Kobe's mission as an athlete and father. "I mean," explained, "we continue to live on his legacy and continue to have our hearts heavy with both sadness and with happiness for his family that are still here. So, it's not a closure. But it was a celebration, which was well received from not only the Laker faithful, not only the family here, but everybody around the world." At the Lakers' first game since Kobe's death in late January, LeBron reflected on Kobe's impact in a heartfelt speech. "The fact that I'm here means so much to me," he said at the time. "I want to continue on with my teammates to continue his legacy, not only for this year but as long as we get to play the game of basketball that we love because that's what Kobe Bryant would want." Kobe and Gianna were among nine individuals killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, Jan. 26. Vanessa has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the helicopter company. To honor Kobe and Gianna's legacy, the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation provides opportunities to young people through sports. For more information or to donate, please click here.
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