LeBron James was evasive when asked whether he attended the memorial for Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center.

"I respect your question, for sure, but it's very emotional. A very emotional day. A very tough day for myself, for my family, for everyone involved," James said. "One thing I can come out of it saying is how strong and how bold and how powerful Vanessa is. To stand up there the way she did, to give that speech the way she gave that speech. I commend her.

"My heart is with their family still. With his three daughters that are still here. With his wife. With his mom and dad and his sisters. It was just a very difficult day. Obviously a celebration, but it was a difficult day for all of us. So I appreciate it. If we could move on to tonight, that would be great."

James was not seen at the memorial. 

James' agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that it was an emotional day for James and that he spent the memorial "in his own space."

James was asked whether the memorial could provide some closure for himself and the Lakers.

"It's never a closure. It's never going to be a closure," James said. "I mean, we continue to live on his legacy and continue to have our hearts heavy with both sadness and with happiness for his family that are still here. So it's not a closure. But it was a celebration which was well received from not only the Laker faithful, not only the family here, but everybody around the world."

In the aftermath of Bryant's death, James told ESPN it was the "toughest week of my life."