LeBron James on Friday night opened up about his heartbreak over the death of Chadwick Boseman after the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers from the first round of the NBA playoffs.
James crossed his arms, doing the Wakanda salute during a moment of silence, held for the late actor and also former NBA player Cliff Robinson and coach Lute Olsen, who recently passed.
After the game, James was asked about the death of his friend. He did not hold back.
“It actually felt like we had our Black superhero and nobody could touch us. To lose that, it’s sad in our community,” James told reporters.
The iconic Boseman died Friday at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, and family by his side. He was 43. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family revealed in a statement. He had never spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
News of his passing sent shockwaves not only through the entertainment world but also in the sports world as Boseman gave a celebrated performance of Major League Baseball legend Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Robinson’s team, held a moment of silence before the team played the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
James did not mince about losing Boseman and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant earlier in the year. “To lose Black Panther and Black Mamba in the same year — 2020 is the shittiest year,” he said.
Lakers’ LeBron James w/ tribute to Chadwick Boseman: “It actually felt like we had our black superhero and nobody could touch us. To lose that, it’s sad in our community. To lose Black Panther & Black Mamba in the same year — 2020 is the sh**tiest year.” pic.twitter.com/GiGbPA80Gp
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 30, 2020
