With Kobe Bryant officially announcing his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers once the 2015-16 NBA season ends, an interesting debate has already begun.
Kobe has worn the No. 8 and 24 jerseys for 10 seasons each, leading many to wonder which number the Lakers should hang in the rafters.
For his part, Kobe declared that he has no preference which number is retired by the Lakers during his press conference prior to the Philadelphia 76ers game according to Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell:
Bryant said he doesn’t have a preference between 24 or 8 when the Lakers retire his jersey, but he’s evolved more into himself in 24.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 1, 2015
Trudell also noted that Kobe said he had to be something he wasn’t naturally while wearing the No. 8:
Wearing the 8, Kobe had to teach himself to be something he wasn’t naturally, he said, though it worked to the tune of 3 titles.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 1, 2015
There are plenty of memories with Kobe wearing each number. Winning the dunk contest, the lob to Shaquille O’Neal in the 2000 Western Conference Finals, the 81-point game, and the game winner against Phoenix in 2006 all came while donning the No. 8. Meanwhile his MVP season, defeating the Boston Celtics, his ridiculous heroics against the Toronto Raptors, and his last run of games before tearing his Achilles in 2013 all came with the No. 24.
Maybe the Lakers will wind up retiring both numbers for him as it is very difficult to choose between them. Bryant is a Lakers legend regardless of what number ultimately hangs inside Staples Center.