Published 16:08 IST, July 21st 2020

Not a day goes by when I don't think of him: LeBron James pays ode to Kobe Bryant

With Kobe Bryant's six-month death anniversary nearing, Lakers star LeBron James was asked to speak about Bryant's death and legacy while at the NBA bubble.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
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Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven ors lost ir lives in a tragic helicopter crash almost six months ago. His untimely death devastated NBA world as people from around world houred Los Angeles Lakers legend. With his six-month death anniversary nearing, Lakers star LeBron James was asked to speak about Bryant's death, and how it is still important to m amid everything else that is going on in world. 

Also read | Was LeBron James at Kobe Bryant memorial' Fans curious about James t being filmed: Kobe Bryant death

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LeBron James on Kobe Bryant at NBA bubble 

Also read | LeBron James considers himself 'emotionally a wreck' after Kobe Bryant death

LeBron James and Frank Vogel on Kobe Bryant death and Mamba legacy

While talking to reporters, James spoke about Bryant's legacy with Lakers, saying that both Bryant and Gianna are a part of organisation. “A day doesn’t go by where I don’t think about him,” LeBron said. “A day doesn’t go by where our organisation does t remember him and think about t only Kobe, but Gigi, Vanessa, and or girls." He added that y are a part of family, "just as big as anybody in this organisation’s history", which is why y still wear . 24, . 8 and . 2 jerseys with pride, remembering 'how great y were'.

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Lakers head coach Frank Vogel also spoke to media about Bryant and his continued impact on team. While talking about playoffs after scrimm and eight seeding games, Vogel talked about Bryant and what five-time NBA champion meant for franchise. “He’s still with us,” Vogel explained. “Any time a group like ours goes through something so emotionally deep, I just think it forms bonds—strengned our group". He added that while one ever wants something like that to happen, he believes bond is a result of trdy. According to Vogel, even before his death, team wanted to 'embody what he stood for'. 

Also read | LeBron James ranked 10th, Kobe Bryant excluded completely in Kenny Smith's all-time list

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James, who has led Lakers to a 49-14 win-loss record this season, has stated that he will continue Bryant's legacy with team. Bryant's last social media posts were dedicated to James, congratulating three-time NBA champion for surpassing him as league's third all-time scorer. James joined NBA in 2003, a season after Bryant won his three-peat in 2002. Bryant played all his 20 seasons for Lakers while James played with Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers before joining Lakers in 2018, two years after Bryant retired. 

Lakers NBA restart schedule

Lakers' first scrimm is scheduled for July 23 this week against Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks. team will face Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards before resuming season on July 30 (August 1 IST). Lakers' first seeding game will be against LA Clippers at 9:00 PM EST (6:30 AM IST). As per league's plan, Lakers will play eight seeding games before starting traditional playoff series in August, where y will compete for 17th title for franchise. 

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Also read | LeBron James reveals late Kobe Bryant gifting him his own sneakers as fondest moment: Kobe Bryant death

(Im source: LeBron James official Instagram – @kingjames)

14:26 IST, July 21st 2020