LeBron James reflected on Kobe Bryant's legacy moments before tipoff of the Lakers' first game since Kobe Bryant's death.
James took the microphone at center court to conclude the team's pregame tribute to Bryant.
James spoke off the cuff, tossing aside his pre-written remarks. Before eulogizing his former teammate, he opened by acknowledging all nine of the victims of Sunday morning's accident by name. He concluded his heartfelt message by saying, "In the words of Kobe Bryant, ‘Mamba out.’ But in the words of us, ‘Not forgotten.’ Live on, brother.”
James' comments capped off an emotional pregame ceremony that included Usher singing "Amazing Grace," cellist Ben Hong performing "Hallelujah" as a montage of Bryant's life played on the jumbotron and Boyz II Men singing the National Anthem as Bryant's two jerseys were lit in the rafters.