New Delhi: NBA star LeBron James talked about racial discrimination and the need for change in America during a playoff honouring the legendary Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant who along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died on January 26  after their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. On Monday, the first-ever Kobe Bryant Day was observed in Southern California to honour the deceased NBA Legend. August 24 or 8/24 was chosen because the LA Lakers all-time great Kobe used to wear No. 8 and No. 24 during his 20-year LA Lakers career. The Lakers took advantage of the rare opportunity and played against Portland Trail Blazers as a tribute to Kobe. The LA Lakers wore special ‘Black Mamba’ jerseys and special patch bearing the No. 2 in a heart as a tribute to Kobe and his daughter.

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But what made the match even more inspiring, was the interview with LeBron James, post the LA Lakers and Portland Trailblazers fourth round game of the 7-match playoff series. He opened up about the ongoing Black Lives Matter and made a powerful statement regarding the need for change in America. Referred to Jacob Blake, an unarmed black man who shot at by firing multiple rounds on Sunday at the hands of white police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, LeBron emphasised that the continuing racial discrimination was troubling.



“What happened to Jacob Blake is what we have been talking about and what will continue to talk about. To continue to see police brutality and the injustice is very troubling,” said LeBron in a post-game interview.

He added, “We played a great game and a lot of families came and enjoyed but at the same time it is very important to not lose sight of what is going on in America. “

 Protestors walk by a truck set on fire during demonstrations against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 24, 2020. - Police faced off with hundreds of peaceful protesters ahead of a curfew in this city in Wisconsin Monday, as rage grew once more in the US at the shooting of a black man by a white officer. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP)

He has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement and has constantly raised his voice in social media against discrimination and police brutality. After news about Blake went viral, LeBron had questioned the incident and highlighted the need for justice for the black community.

LeBron also talked about bringing change in America and said that change will begin in November referring to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Elections.

“My prayers go out to the family (Jacob Blake) and hopefully we can have some change. I believe change starts in November. That is why I have started an initiative to tell people that I am doing more than a vote. I want people to understand what is really at risk. The change that we continue to talk about, we have an opportunity to make the change,” said LeBron.