WASHINGTON – LA Lakers star LeBron James has promised to
continue the legacy of fellow basketball great Kobe Bryant.
James, commenting on social media for the first time following the
death of Bryant in a helicopter crash, said he was "heartbroken" by
the tragedy.
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people
killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Sunday.
James surpassed Bryant to become the NBA's third-highest scorer of
all time on Saturday.
The pair never played together in the NBA as James joined the Lakers
two years after Bryant's retirement, but they did join up at the 2008
and 2012 Olympics, helping the United States win two gold medals.
"I'm not ready but here I go," James posted on Instagram. "Man I
sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I
try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the
friendship/bond/brotherhood we had!"
According to the Los Angeles Times, Bryant called James after he
played in Philadelphia on Saturday night to congratulate him for
moving up to third on the league's all-time scoring list, passing
Bryant, who scored 33,643 points in his NBA career.
Bryant's final post on Twitter before his death was a message to
James, saying: "Continuing to move the game forward KingJames. Much
respect my brother."
"I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left
Philly to head back to LA," James wrote.
"Didn't think for one bit in a million years that would be the last
conversation we'd have."
"I'm heartbroken and devastated my brother!!
"Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I
promise you I'll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all
here especially #LakerNation and it's my responsibility to put this
shit on my back and keep going!!"
He added: "There's so much more I want to say but just can't right
now because I can't get through it! Until we meet again my brother!!"
The NBA has called off the Los Angeles Lakers' match against the LA
Clippers later Tuesday.
US authorities are continuing to investigate the crash in foggy
conditions in the hilly terrain outside Los Angeles.
Jennifer Homendy, a member of the National Transportation Saftey
Board, which is investigating the crash, said the helicopter
requested special flight rules before trip and later ascended to
avoid clouds before the crash.
She called on the public to assist the investigation by submitting
photos of weather in the area.
Along with Bryant and his daughter, the crash killed John Altobelli,
a basketball coach and his wife and daughter, Keri and Allyssa.
More than 1.3 million people have now signed a petition to use
Bryant's image as a new official NBA logo, US media reported late
Monday.