LeBron James in tears after pregame tribute to Kobe Bryant

LeBron James was a picture of grief as he and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers remember their former teammate Kobe Bryant during a pre-game tribute.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward could not help his tears before their match against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

^{Photo by Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters}

LeBron wore a jersey bearing the number 24, while the others wore number 8 — both numbers having been worn by the late basketball icon during his career.

Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash last January 26.

The helicopter was headed to Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, where Gianna was set to play a basketball game.

Earlier, the L.A. Lakers said in a statement that they were "devastated and forever changed" by the tragedy.

"Words cannot express what Kobe means to the Los Angeles Lakers, our fans, and our city. More than a basketball player, he was a beloved father, husband, and teammate. Their love and light will remain in our hearts forever," they said.

—JCB, GMA News