Tears, jerseys on every seat and LeBron James’ touching tribute to Kobe Bryant

In a ceremony before the LA Lakers’ first game since the helicopter crash on Sunday, red roses adorned the courtside seats where Kobe and Gianna Bryant sat at the last Los Angeles Lakers game they attended. (Source: USA Today Sports)

Across the street from Staples Center, large crowds continued to gather for informal public mourning at a plaza loaded with flowers, balloons and hand-written messages, many on the pavement, honoring Bryant and his daughter. (Source: USA Today Sports)

The ceremony began with Usher standing at center court of the darkened arena in front of No. 8 and No. 24 yellow rose arrangements to sing “Amazing Grace.” (Source: USA Today Sports)

Meanwhile, fans interrupted the silence at times with chants of “Kobe!” and “MVP.” (Source: USA Today Sports)

Boyz II Men, from Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia, sang the national anthem. LeBron James, wearing No. 24, wiped his eyes as the anthem ended. (Source: USA Today Sports)

He then stood at center court and read the names of the nine victims, ending with Bryant. (Source: USA Today Sports)

He told the crowd he had remarks prepared and pulled a piece of paper from his sweatpants. But then James tossed it to the floor. “Laker Nation, I would be selling you short if I read off this, so I’m going to go straight from the heart,” he said. (Source: USA Today Sports)