Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was spoken highly of by Lakers management in regards to his jersey retirement ceremony.
The Los Angeles Lakers rafters will have some additions this season. The Lakers announced that Kobe Bryant will have not only one, but both numbers he wore with the Lakers raised to the rafters in a halftime ceremony this season.
Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jersey will be raised on December 18th against the Golden State Warriors. He will be the 10th player to have their number retired, joining an impressive list of Lakers legends.
Bryant will be joining Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Adbul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West and Jamaal Wilkes in the STAPLES Center rafters.
It is quite an honor to have your jersey retired. Bryant was the face of the Lakers for over a decade and has earned it. Having both numbers retired was a nice touch; selecting just one would have been extremely difficult.
Some people in the Lakers management shared their thoughts on the honor. Johnson, who is the Lakers President of Basketball Operations, said it was an honor Bryant deserved to have his numbers up there with his.
Los Angeles Lakers
"“This honor is very well deserved,” said Lakers President of Basketball Operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “Kobe was one of the greatest Lakers and NBA players of all-time and he’s definitely on my Mount Rushmore. I look forward to seeing BOTH of his jerseys be retired and celebrating this special day with Kobe and his family.”"
There is no doubt that Bryant is on the Lakers Mount Rushmore. FanSided recently compiled the Mouth Rushmore for every NBA franchise, and Bryant was on theirs.
Johnson was not the only person to offer kind words for Bryant. Controlling owner and CEO Jeanie Buss also spoke about it.
"“Kobe’s jerseys are taking their rightful home next to the greatest Lakers of all time,” said Lakers CEO and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss. “There was never any doubt this day would come, the only question was when. Once again, Lakers fans will celebrate our hero, and once again, our foes will envy the legendary Kobe Bryant.”"
General Manager Rob Pelinka also spoke highly of Bryant, who was a former client while Pelinka was an agent before joining the Lakers front office.
"“Kobe’s impact on this franchise is immeasurable,” said General Manager Rob Pelinka. “Kobe carried the torch for the Lakers for 20 seasons, keeping the franchise at the forefront of the NBA following the ‘Showtime’ Era. Beyond the championship banners and individual accolades, Kobe’s ‘Mamba Mentality’ is something the Lakers will always try to emulate. It alone daily inspires all of us to strive for greatness. Kobe’s loyalty and dedication to his craft make him one of the most iconic superstars in sports history. The full impact he has on this game and on future generations will not be fully recognized for a long, long time.”"
We are already seeing Bryant’s impact on the game today. Players in today’s NBA look up to him and draw inspiration from him. If you go to the park, you will still see people shouting, “Kobe,” when taking a jump shot.
Next: Top 10 Kobe Bryant Games Of All-Time
Bryant is the closest we have seen to Michael Jordan. He emulated him in many ways, possessing a killer instinct that many players just do not possess. Bryant is one of the greatest to ever play and will be remembered forever not only by Lakers fans but basketball fans in general.