Lakers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis still haunted by death of Kobe Bryant

It’s been nearly one year since the death of Kobe Bryant and it’s still something LeBron James and Anthony Davis are struggling to come to terms with.

The one-year anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant is Jan. 26 and it’s a loss that many are still reeling from. The helicopter accident that took the life of the former Lakers superstar, his daughter Gianna and all eight passengers on board was a moment that still finds LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggling to accept.

After LeBron and the Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls on Saturday evening, he spoke with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin about the upcoming anniversary and the emotions he’s confronting.

LeBron, Anthony Davis still struggling with the death of Kobe Bryant

“Man, it’s a saying that time heals all,” James said. “And as devastating and as tragic as it was and still is to all of us involved with it, only time. And it takes time. Everyone has their own grieving process.”

That’s a common refrain for loss. People mourn on their own timeline and people grieve in their own unique ways. Time can help heal wounds but there’s no set amount of time to heal a tragic loss like this.

Much like many watching the news unfold on Jan. 26, 2020, accepting the reality that Kobe is gone is something Davis still is struggling to accept.

“As we approach his one-year anniversary, it saddens our hearts to actually come to the realization that he’s gone,” Davis said. “I know I still have trouble with it, you still just can’t believe it.”

While some may benefit in their grieving process by talking through their emotions, that’s not something LeBron is ready to do.  He’s not at the point where he can get in that frame of mind and go into that dark space.

“I try not to put myself back in that headspace, because it’s just too dark,” James said, “for not only myself but for our organization and for everyone that’s involved in it.”

However, LeBron is trying to honor Kobe and the legacy he left behind and leading the Lakers to the NBA championship last year was one way in which he was able to do just that.