The Los Angeles Lakers have not played a game since Kobe Bryant passed in a tragic helicopter crash last Sunday, and after postponing their game on Tuesday against the Clippers, the team was back at STAPLES Center to play against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. The entire Los Angeles area and beyond has been mourning for the Black Mamba all week, giving tributes, speaking on their favorite memories and the legacy of Kobe, and tonight there was a celebration of his life before the game.
Boyz II Men performed the National Anthem, Usher sang “Amazing Grace” to kick things off and LeBron James stepped to center court to address Laker Nation and the global fans watching about what Kobe meant to him and to the fans.
Though he had something written, he scrapped it to speak from the heart, getting teary and paying homage to everyone who died last Sunday.