Players in tears during LeBron James' incredible tribute to Kobe Bryant

LeBron James has delivered a powerful tribute to Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers’ first home game since he was tragically killed.

Players were in tears at Staples Centre on Friday as LeBron spoke about his love and admiration for Bryant, vowing to continue his legacy.

‘NOT CERTIFIED’: Disturbing details about helicopter in Kobe Bryant tragedy

“I want to continue his legacy not only for this year, but for as long as we can play the game of basketball,” LeBron said.

“Because that’s what Kobe Bryant would want.

“So in the words of Kobe Bryant ‘Mamba Out’, but in the words of us ‘not forgotten’. Live on brother.”

Emotional scenes in Lakers’ first game back

Grieving fans packed almost every Staples Centre seat 30 minutes before tipoff to ensure they didn’t miss a second of the Lakers’ heartfelt pregame tribute to their fallen icon.

The homage to Bryant began with the arena lights dimming as familiar chants of “Kobe” and “M-V-P” rained down from the rafters.

A spotlight then revealed Usher at mid-court and the R&B icon sang an emotional rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

A video montage of Kobe’s life then aired on the scoreboard with the former Lakers star himself providing narration via interviews culled from throughout his life.

At the end of the video, Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter referenced each of the nine victims of Sunday’s helicopter crash and then called for 24.2 seconds of silence, 24 for Kobe of course and 2 for his daughter Gianna.

The tribute concluded with LeBron grabbing the microphone, scrapping the speech he had prepared and speaking from the heart.

In a nearly four-minute speech, LeBron called on Lakers fans to celebrate Kobe’s life during Friday night’s game against the Portland Trailblazers.

“I know we’ll have a memorial at some point, but I look at this as a celebration tonight,” James said.

“This is a celebration of the blood, sweat, tears, the countless hours, the determination to be as great as he could be.

“Tonight is a celebration of the kid who came here at 18 years of age, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we’ve ever seen over the past three years.”

The Lakers added to the reverential ambience by laying yellow Kobe shirts across every chair, half bearing No. 8 and half No. 24.

Players warmed up in those shirts before tipoff as images of Kobe, daughter Gianna and the seven other victims flashed across the scoreboard overhead.

On the right shoulder of their jerseys, the Lakers wore black KB patches, an insignia also emblazoned on the baseline at both ends of the floor.

Two floor seats across from the Lakers’ bench remained empty in honour of Kobe and Gianna, one with his No. 24 jersey draped over the back and the other with her No. 2.

Carmelo too devastated to play

The Trail Blazers said Carmelo Anthony didn't travel with the team for personal reasons.

Anthony and Bryant became close when they played together on gold medal-winning US Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012 Anthony saying earlier this week that their friendship "was deeper than basketball."

Anthony played in Portland's game on Sunday, hours after Bryant's death, but teammate Damian Lillard told USA Today he "was not ready" to appear at Staples Centre.

"It's something he was not ready to face and deal with," Lillard said.

"We all respect his decision."

With Yahoo Sports and agencies