Lakers will retire both of Kobe Bryant's numbers
The Los Angeles Lakers will retire Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers- 8 and 24- in a halftime ceremony which will be held December 18. The Lakers will be hosting the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center.
Bryant will become the 10th player in Lakers history to have his number raised in the rafters, joining Wilt Chamberlain (13), Elgin Baylor (22), Gail Goodrich (25), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Shaquille O'Neal (34), James Worthy (42), Jerry West (43) and Jaamal Wilkes (52).
After retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season, Bryant undoubtedly ranks in the top 10 players of all time. Since coming to the NBA, Bryant has always carried his "Mamba Mentality" with him.
In a past interview, Bryant had this to say about both of his number being retired.
"As a kid growing up in Italy, I always dreamed of my jersey hanging in the Lakers rafters, but I certainly never imagined two of them."
The 18 time All-Star retired as the first player in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons with a single franchise. Bryant helped lead the Lakers to five NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010), winning Finals MVP honors in 2009 and 2010.
As the numbers are concerned, Bryant has been himself and did not missed a beat whether he was wearing number 8 or 24. The changing of number 8 to 24 came back in 2003 when Bryant was accused of sexual assault in Colorado, also when his relationship with Shaq was damaged.
Since Bryant has retired, nobody on previous Lakers teams or the current roster has worn number 8 or 24. Come December 18, both numbers will be officially untouchable out of respect for Kobe Bryant.
With this being said does Bryant deserve two numbers retired or is one sufficient?
Photo Credit (Top): ABCNews.com
Photo Credit (Bottom): www.thescore.com
