LeBron James was spotted in tears, hugging multiple people and walking with his head down hours following the stunning death of NBA and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
According to video from NBC, James had just landed in Los Angeles with his teammates following a game in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia, where James passed Bryant with 33,655 points to become the third highest-scorer in NBA history.
Bryant, 41, was killed in a private helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, Calif. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also was killed and there were no survivors of crash, which authorities believe killed nine people. The crash, which occurred during foggy conditions, currently is being investigated.
On Saturday, Bryant reacted to James’ passing on the scoring list with a message on social media.
“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames,” Bryant tweeted. Much respect my brother #33644.” (Bryant finished his career with 33,644 points.)
During the game, James paid tribute to Bryant by wearing shoes that read “Mamba 4 Life,” referring to Bryant’s nickname.
After passing Bryant Saturday night, James recalled the time he first met Bryant.
“Just admiring him for so many years and seeing him from afar, and then being able to be in practices with him, and me watching and learning — it’s just too much. The story is just too much. It doesn’t make sense,” James said Saturday. “And just to make a long story short, now I’m here in a Lakers uniform in Philadelphia, where he’s from, where the first time I ever met him he gave me his shoes, it’s just surreal.”
While Bryant and the 35-year-old James never played with each other in the NBA — James signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers two years after Bryant retired — the two teamed up on the national stage to win two gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Bryant and James also are commonly referred to as being among the two best players in the NBA history.
Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa, as well as the couple’s other three daughters: Natalia, 17; Bianka, 3; and Capri Kobe Bryant, born last June.
