Los Angeles Lakers set to retire both of Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers
The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to send Kobe Bryant’s two jersey numbers, No. 8 and No. 24, to the rafters, honoring the vast accomplishments achieved in both numbers.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Los Angeles Lakers will retire Kobe Bryant’s two jersey numbers, No. 8 and No. 24, on Dec. 18 at halftime when they host the Golden State Warriors. Kobe played the first 10 seasons of his career wearing the No. 8 before making the switch to No. 24 before the start of the 2006-07 campaign.
This move to honor both of Kobe’s numbers puts his career in perspective. He was a three-time NBA champion, eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team selection, along with winning an MVP trophy in the No. 8 jersey. Kobe averaged 26.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during his time in the No. 8. These stats, combined with his title credentials, warrant a jersey retirement and Hall of Fame induction for his first 10 seasons alone.
Kobe formed one of the most dominating duos in NBA history with Shaquille O’Neal that powered the Lakers to three consecutive titles from 2000-02. They butted heads throughout their time together, but the power of Shaq on the inside and Kobe at his athletic peak was as physically overwhelming guard-big man combo we’ve seen in the NBA.
Their partnership ended when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004.
Kobe snatched his second straight MVP after switching to No. 24 in the 2006-07 season. This was Kobe’s time as the unquestioned leader of the Lakers and he enjoyed a couple seasons playing hero ball with subpar teammates. Including some rough seasons to finish his career, the Black Mamba averaged 24.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in his seasons rocking No. 24, along with another 10 All-Star appearances.
It wasn’t until the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 that Kobe led to another showing in the NBA Finals, however. After losing their first Finals to the Boston Celtics, Kobe and Pau led the Lakers to back-to-back titles with Finals wins over the Orlando Magic (2009-10) and then evened the score against the Celtics (2010-11), with Kobe earning both Finals MVP awards.
If you separate the honors from each decade spent in each jersey number, Kobe deserves to have both numbers retired. It makes the fans who remember the Frobe days in the No. 8 and connects them with the newer NBA fan that may have only got to see Kobe wear the No. 24.
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As a Los Angeles Lakers fan of 20 years myself, I applaud the organization for immortalizing both segments of his storied career.