LeBron James posts tribute to Kobe Bryant: 'I promise you I'll continue your legacy'

In a note he posted to Instagram Monday night, NBA star LeBron James shared that he kept attempting to write something about Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, but "every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi, and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had."

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others were killed on Sunday morning when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. On Saturday night, the Lakers played the Philadelphia 76ers, and James passed Bryant on the NBA's all-time scoring list, becoming third with 33,655 points and moving Bryant down to fourth place, with 33,643 points. Bryant tweeted his congratulations, and later called James.

"Didn't think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we'd have," James wrote. He offered his condolences to Bryant's wife, Vanessa, and their three surviving children, and made a vow. "I promise you I'll continue your legacy man!" he wrote. "You mean so much to us all here, especially at #LakerNation, and it's my responsibility to put this s--t on my back and keep it going! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! ... 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!"

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