LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were traveling back to LA when they received word of the death of franchise legend Kobe Bryant. The Purple and Gold were flying from Philadelphia to L.A. following a 108-91 loss to the Sixers on Saturday night.

Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers players were “devastated and in shock” upon reception of the news.

James, who passed Bryant on the all-time scoring list on Saturday, was visibly emotional as he exited the team plane on Sunday afternoon.

LeBron showed reverence to Bryant's achievements both on and off the floor after surpassing him on Saturday. In fact, he was reflective on the impact Kobe had on him as a player at a young age and as a person (via ESPN):

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“It's another guy that I looked up to when I was in grade school and high school,” James said. “Seeing him come straight out of high school, he is someone that I used as inspiration. It was like, wow. Seeing a kid, 17 years old, come into the NBA and trying to make an impact on a franchise, I used it as motivation. He helped me before he even knew of me because of what he was able to do. So, just to be able to, at this point of my career, to share the same jersey that he wore, be with this historical franchise and just represent the purple and gold, it's very humbling and it's dope.

Of course, LeBron James followed in Kobe Bryant's footsteps as far as coming into superstardom shortly after entering the NBA at just 18 years of age.

No doubt the Lakers will have heavy hearts when they take on crosstown rivals Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at the Staples Center.