Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James honored the late Kobe Bryant with a touching speech before his team took the court against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night.
LeBron first acknowledged all of the lives lost in the tragic helicopter crash Sunday. They were Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Christina Mauser, the helicopter's pilot Ara Zobayan, John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa and mother and daughter Sarah and Payton Chester.
"I got something written down, they asked me to stay on course," LeBron said, before throwing a piece of paper away. "Laker Nation I would be selling y'all short if I read off this shit, so I'ma go straight from the heart." The basketball superstar then launched into the speech, touching on the outpouring of love and support the Lakers fanbase has shown.
"Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we've seen over the last three years," he continued.
LeBron concluded with Kobe's famous tagline. "So in the words of Kobe Bryant, 'Mamba Out,' but in the words of us, 'Not forgotten.' Live on, brother."
LeBron unveiled his tattoo honoring Kobe and Gianna before the game, posting the new ink to Instagram.
In a post-game interview, LeBron had more words for Kobe, explaining how happy he's been these past three years and becoming a girl dad, which started a viral movement of men sharing father-daughter photos in his honor.
