Los Angeles Lakers retire Kobe Bryant’s 2 jerseys
Kobe Bryant poses with his family and Earvin Johnson, Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss at halftime after both his No. 8 and No. 24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys are retired at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP
LOS ANGELES – Although Kobe Bryant has been asked many times, he still isn’t sure who would win a game of one-on-one between the young Kobe in his No. 8 Lakers jersey and his older self, who wore No. 24.
“I kind of go back and forth,” Bryant said with a sly grin. “But 8 has something that 24 will never, ever, ever have, and that’s the ability to grow hair.”
The Lakers couldn’t choose, either. So they honored both eras of Kobe’s incredible career.
In an NBA first, the Lakers decided to retire both jersey numbers worn by Bryant, the leading scorer in franchise history. Bryant attended the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night for a halftime ceremony at Staples Center, which was packed with fans eager to bear witness once again to the beloved superstar scorer.
“I feel great,” Bryant said after entering Staples Center while pushing a stroller containing Bianka Bella Bryant, his infant daughter. “I’m very proud I get to come here with my family. It feels good as a father to have my family come in and share this.”
Along with his 33,643 points, the five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star selection also leads the Lakers in games played (1,346), 3-pointers (1,827), steals (1,944) and free throws (8,378). Bryant is the third-leading scorer in league history.
He also was the first player to spend at least 20 seasons with one franchise, and he is widely beloved in Southern California, where he still lives with his family.
“He’s everything in this city,” said Lakers coach Luke Walton, Bryant’s teammate on the last two title teams.
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