'IT'S JUST CRAZY'
LeBron James lost for words describing idol Kobe Bryant just 15 hours before NBA legend’s tragic death
LEBRON JAMES was lost for words when describing idol Kobe Bryant just 15 hours before the NBA legend's tragic death.
The evening before Bryant, 41, died alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others in a helicopter crash in California, James had another career night.
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In an already glittering career, LeBron overtook Kobe to claim the No3 spot in the list of all-time NBA top points scorers.
James, 35, did so in Philadephia - Bryant's home town - in a game against the 76ers, with the words "Mamba 4 Life" on his sneakers, a nod to Bryant's "Black Mamba" nickname.
After his incredible feat, LeBron - usually so eloquent - was left uncharacteristically speechless and he stuttered through what Bryant meant to him.
James said: "It was a dream come true for me to be able to line-up alongside him.
"Just, admiring him for so many years and seeing him from afar - and then being in practices with him and me watching and learning...
"It's just too much, the story is just too much. It doesn't make sense.
"Long story short, now I'm here in a Lakers uniform, in Philadelphia - where he's from - and one of the first places I ever met him, where he gave me his shoes on All-Star week...
"It's surreal, it doesn't make sense, but the universe puts things in your life and if you live in the right way and give everything, things happen organically.
"Sorry... I'm just happy to be in conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players, one of the all-time greatest Lakers.
"The man has two jerseys hanging up at Staples Center. It's just crazy."
FLAWLESS
On Bryant's unbelieveable talent, James added: "He had zero flaws offensively. Zero.
"He was just immortal offensively because of his skill set and his work ethic."
LeBron now has 33,655 points after eclipsing Bryant's incredible tally of 33,643 last week.
The Lakers star now sits behind only legends Karl Malone (36,928) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) in the all-time list.
James learnt of old friend Bryant's death on a plane and was seen in tears as he walked across the runway at Los Angeles airport after landing.
LeBron had previously recalled what an influence Bryant had on him as a teenager.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers forward added: "When I was a kid, I was at high school, I was going up through the ranks when Kobe came into the league.
"As I started playing more ball... the things that he was doing on the floor, I admired and wanted to be a part of.
"I went to ABCD [Basketball] Camp, and he came and talked to all the kids that was there, and I happened to be one of [them].
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"And I remember one thing that he said. He was like: 'If you want to be one of the greats, you got to put the work in. There's no substitution for work.'
"And I was a 15-year-old kid. As I got drafted, I still just admired him. Seeing what he was able to accomplish.
"Just seeing the work ethic. The work ethic that he put into the game."
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