LeBron James addresses fires' mental toll, basks in fan moment - ESPN

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 burned through 60 square miles and killed at least 25 people — have taken a mental toll.

«I have a couple of dear friends that have lost their homes in the Palisades,» James said after the Los Angeles Lakers' 117-108 win over the Miami Heat. «Obviously, my heart goes out to all of the families, all across not only the Palisades, but all across L.A. County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire.… It's been a lot of emotions. Kind of been off. Personally, I've been off.

»I've just been completely off for obvious reasons, but hopefully things are contained or continue to be contained. And hopefully, at some point, we can start to push forward and move forward and put it behind us and rebuild our city, rebuild this beautiful city."

His team has also not looked like the group that was seemingly building momentum just a couple of weeks ago, winning eight out of 11 games and fortifying its roster by trading for a coveted 3-and-D wing in Dorian Finney-Smith.

L.A. had lost three games in a row and was trailing the Heat 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 acknowledged her in the first quarter.

«Thank goodness that I actually looked at my phone at halftime, or I wouldn't have even seen the reaction when I waved to her in the first half,» James said after the game. «I waved to her, and then I got back to play. So, to have