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Los Angeles Lakers: Comparing Kobe Bryant as 8 and 24

By Leandre Ochoa

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 6: The Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame player banners are seen at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 6: The Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame player banners are seen at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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#24

That number change began some with some key moments from Kobe ranging from demanding the Lakers to trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd, to demanding himself to be traded. This switch also signified the 3rd year Bryant played after the departure of Shaquille O’Neal from the Lakers. Instead, the Lakers kept Bynum from the previous year, retained Bryant, and in 2007-’08, ended up with the 1st seed in the Western Conference. Whether you believe Kobe changed his number to 24 to imply his dedication to be on top of his game all-hours of the day or simply to 1-up “his-airness”, the origin of #24 got off to a defining start.

Key Opponent: Spurs

San Antonio was and still to this day is equivalent to the Freddy Krueger’s and/or Jason Voorhees’ of the NBA – they just won’t die. In 2007 and 2008, Kobe and company competed against this very familiar foe, victorious in both playoff encounters, but recently losing to them in 2013, getting swept in the first round.

Key Opponent: Suns

Once again, meeting the Suns in a revenge situation stemming from a 2006 and 2007 defeat, Bryant led a charge against Nash and crew, defeating them 4-2 in the 2009-2010 NBA playoffs en route to Kobe’s 7th Finals appearance.

Key Opponent: Celtics

Widely regarded as one of Kobe’s toughest teams he’s played against, the Celtics certainly holds a special place in Bryant’s heart. The Lakers-Celtics rivalry was renewed with an unexpected meeting in 2007 in the NBA FInals, as the Lakers got beat down.

The teams met again in 2010 with the Lakers prevailing this time in a grueling series, cultivating with a brutal Game-7 that could have gone either way. Bryant probably recalls the hurt the 2007 Celtics put on him more than the joy of the 2010 season offered.  Kobe includes the Celtics as one of the top 5 teams he’s had to go up against, which included Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.

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