LeBron James Addresses Mental Toll of Fires, Enjoys Fan Moment

LOS ANGELES — Speaking for the first time since the Southern California wildfires forced him and his family to evacuate their home last week, LeBron James acknowledged Wednesday that the fires — which have ravaged 60 square miles and killed at least 25 people – took a mental toll.

“I have a few dear friends who lost their homes in Palisades,” James said after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 117-108 victory over the Miami Heat. “Obviously my heart goes out to all the families, not only across the Palisades, but throughout Los Angeles County and all surrounding areas because of the fire. … It’s been a lot of emotions. A little offbeat . Personally, I left.

“I’m completely down for obvious reasons, but I hope things are contained or continue to be contained. And I hope at some point we can start to move forward and move forward and put this behind us and rebuild our city, rebuild this beautiful city.”

His team also doesn’t look like the group that seemed to be gaining momentum just a few weeks ago, winning eight of 11 games and bolstering its roster by trading for a coveted 3-and-D wing in Dorian Finney-Smith.

LA had lost three games in a row and was trailing by 12 at halftime when James checked his phone in the locker room during the break.

A family friend sent him a clip of a young girl sitting courtside in a replica James No. 23 jersey who was overcome with emotion when the Lakers star recognized her in the first quarter .

“Thank God I looked at my phone at halftime, otherwise I wouldn’t have even seen the reaction when I waved to him in the first half,” James said after the game. “I waved to him and then went back to play. So having that type of connection with someone, where he can have that type of reaction, I think that’s what it’s all about. And I’ve always tried to be a role model and someone that kids can look up to… Try to make them proud and want to come see me play or, if they can’t see me play, hopefully some of the things I do on the ground continue to inspire them.

Maybe this was the connection James needed to reactivate her.

He scored 15 of his 22 points after halftime – including seven in a row in the fourth quarter to extend Los Angeles’ lead from two with 3:51 to play to nine with 1:52 to play – and the Lakers held on to beat Miami.

“His comfort level closing out the basketball game is obviously very high,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, one of James’ friends who lost his home in Pacific Palisades.

On Monday, the first game played by the Lakers after a six-day shutdown due to fires, Los Angeles lost 126-102 and was dominated by 33 points in the second half by the San Antonio Spurs. During the shootaround in preparation for the game against the Heat, Redick said, he challenged his entire team to provide better leadership in his own way. LA responded with a team effort, with James being one of six players to score 14 or more points in the victory.

James said the Lakers’ performance against Miami, and other similar games in the future, is something he wishes Los Angeles could take some positivity from.

“I hope that by going out on the field and playing the way we played tonight – not the way we played against San Antonio – but the way we played tonight and hopefully the next few months or whatever “For the years, until the city is restored, we, as the Lakers franchise and the players who play for the Lakers, provide a sense of hope, pride and enthusiasm,” said James. “Sports has always given people the opportunity to temporarily forget whatever they may have experienced. And we are such an important part of the Los Angeles community – along with many other sports teams, but we know how the Lakers are important to the community – I hope we can offer that to a lot of families.”

After the final buzzer sounded, James walked over to the girl sitting courtside before she and her family left the arena. He removed one of his I Promise bracelets and placed it on the girl’s wrist and crouched down on one knee so that his 6’9″ body fit in the frame next to her for as they posed for a photo.

“I think it will be something she will never forget,” James said. “I’m happy to be a part of her life now and this small moment, but it’s such a bigger moment. And I hope she brags about it at school.”