Lakers tell tales of Kobe, LeBron promises to lead quest for No. 17

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James told Lakers employees he will lead the team in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing.

The Los Angeles Lakers returned to practice on Wednesday morning, three days after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and seven others on Sunday morning. But before they could return to business as usual, the Lakers had a group luncheon on Wednesday where LeBron James delivered a moving address to Lakers employees, according to multiple reports.

According to one from The Athletic’s Bill Oram, James broke silence in the room by telling stories about battles both alongside and across from Kobe before telling the gathered Lakers employees about how he would lead the Lakers in a season that will be played in Kobe’s honor as they try to win the franchise’s 17th NBA title.

“God gave me wide shoulders for a reason,” James said, according to multiple people who were present.

LeBron shared some of those sentiments in his first statement since Bryant’s death, saying “I got US down here.’ LeBron, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers returned to practice later today where head coach Frank Vogel is expected to address the media.

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