LeBron James sombre after losing Black Panther and Black Mamba in 2020

James honoured actor Chadwick Boseman prior to the Lakers against Portland match by folding his arms across his chest in the Wakanda salute from 'Black Panther'

• 

  Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James crosses his arms for the Wakanda salute during a moment of silence to honour the death of actor Chadwick Boseman before the start of game five against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Getty Images / AFP

• 

  LeBron James and fellow players from the Los Angeles Lakers take a knee during a moment of silence. Getty Images / AFP

• 

  The NBA moment of silence also paid tribute to former NBA player Cliff Robinson and former college coach Lute Olson who also passed away in the last week. EPA

• 

  The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers hold a moment of silence ahead of their game. EPA

• 

  Players take a knee during a moment of silence to remember Cliff Robinson, Lute Olson and Chadwick Boseman who all died this week. Getty Images / AFP

• 

  The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers hold a moment of silence for the deaths of Clifford Robinson, Lute Olson and Chadwick Boseman. EPA

LeBron James described 2020 as the worst year of his life on Saturday, with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar losing two of his black heroes just seven months apart.

James honoured actor Chadwick Boseman prior to the Lakers Game 5 first-round playoff contest against Portland Trail Blazers by folding his arms across his chest in the "Wakanda forever" salute from the Black Panther movie.

Boseman, star of the ground-breaking superhero blockbuster, died at the age of 43 last week after a battle with cancer. His death comes seven months after former Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.

James said that losing the Black Panther and Bryant, known as the Black Mamba, meant that 2020 was the worst year of his life. "There is no question," said James.

On Saturday, James also talked about stepping up his leadership both on and off the court in the NBA's pandemic bubble, using his platform to ignite social justice change in communities across the US.

"It is great to be back on the floor. But more important it is good to have a [social justice] plan and execute it and put into action right away," said James, who scored 36 points as the Lakers reached the second round of the playoffs with a 131-122 win in over the Trail Blazers.

James this week helped negotiate the NBA's restart after the players decided to boycott three days of playoff games after the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Wisconsin.

James was part of an initiative to have Staples Centre and other NBA arenas designated as polling stations for the US presidential election this year.

James, who is no fan of US President Donald Trump, has spoken out numerous times since the Black Lives Matter protests started that change can happen when Americans use their right to vote.

"Having NBA arenas for polling sites is unbelievable," James said. "November is just around the corner and we all understand how important that is."

James said NBA players considered not playing any more games this season, but he was confident throughout the talks that they could work out a deal with the owners.

"There was some doubt," James said. "It is great that we put together a plan. We are going to execute it. That is what we have been able to do the last few days.

"With solidarity we stood with our brothers from Milwaukee. We stood with them as a league."

James said one of the problems with the way the NBA's bubble was set up is that they are dealing with a busier game schedule than normal.

"We had a mission. That mission was lost in translation," he said. "When the playoffs started. We were playing every other day.

"When we are trying to create change we can't lose sight of what the main thing is. This was an opportunity to take a deep breath.

"It was the moment to just exhale and say what are we really doing and are we really trying to create change."

James, who is a father, admitted he thought about leaving the bubble environment in Orlando, Florida, but not for political reasons.

"I have had numerous nights and days, thinking about leaving the bubble. Everyone has. But not because of what has transpired," he said.

"It crossed my mind for sure."