Watch Usher, Boyz II Men, and LeBron James, Salute Kobe Bryant at The Lakers' Tribute Ceremony

Source: ESPN

An emotional send-up for the Lakers legend.

Last night, the Los Angeles Lakers paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant with a star-studded pre-game ceremony.

Ahead of their first match-up since a fatal helicopter crash claimed the lives of nine people, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, the NBA team called on Usher, Boyz II Men, and their current star, LeBron James, to lead an emotional salute.

READ: "Words Can't Describe The Pain I'm Feeling": Michael Jordan Remembers "Little Brother" Kobe Bryant in Sorrowful Statement

Opening the ceremony, Usher offered a stirring take on "Amazing Grace" as a reel of commemorations from around the league and beyond it played on the jumbotron. On his heels, James went off-script with a touching dedication, listing the names of the other victims in the crash, before speaking on Kobe as a proud and loving father to his kids, and an early mentor to the Lakers forward at the onset of his career. "Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18 years of age, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we've seen in the last three years," James told a packed house at The Staples Center, fighting off tears under dimmed lights.

And finally, just before tip-off, Boyz II Men took center-court for a rendition of the National Anthem in three-part harmony. Later in the evening, Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth performed their hit "See You Again" during the game's halftime show.

You can watch all of the performances from The Lakers' Kobe Bryant commemoration below.