LeBron James is paying tribute to his friend Kobe Bryant by getting some new ink in his honor.
James gave media a sneak peek at his new body art while he was working out with the Lakers. Although the tattoo isn’t fully revealed, it appears to be a black mamba snake with words underneath. TMZ reports that James will do a big reveal of the tattoo soon on his Instagram account, possibly before his game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Friday (Jan. 31).
James recently broke his silence on the death of Bryant with a touching Instagram post of throwback photos of the two together.
“I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had!” he wrote.
“I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA.,” James’ post continued. “Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have.”
“I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man!” James wrote. “You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation and it’s my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! 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!!”
Bryant’s final tweet was a congratulations to James on passing him on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list. The night he broke the record, James had “Mamba 4 Life” written on his sneakers. In his post-game interview, he paid homage to Bryant.
“…I’m happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. The man has two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center. It’s just crazy.”
Check out photos of the tattoo below.
AP