LeBron James paid a heartfelt, unrehearsed tribute to Kobe Bryant before the Lakers' first game since the retired NBA icon's death

Slate

ESPN covered the special event live, featuring Boyz II Men singing the National Anthem and Usher's rendition of "Amazing Grace." James delivered a heartfelt, unrehearsed tribute to Bryant, whom he spoke to on the phone hours before Sunday's helicopter crash. "Now, I’ve got something written down," he said. "You know, they asked me to stay on course or whatever the case may be. But Laker nation, man, I would be selling y’all short if I read off this sh*t, so I’m gonna go straight from the heart."