#MambaOut: LA Lakers Retire Both Kobe Bryant's Jerseys In Epic Ceremony

By Devin Crudup @Dev4TheCulture
|
December 19, 2017

Kobe Bryant...enough said!

No matter if you're a Lakers fan or rock with another team...you already know that Bryant dominated the game with a fierce determination his entire NBA career. #Facts

So, it's only fitting that for the first time in NBA history to honor this legend, that a franchise retired two jerseys worn by the same player.

Kobe Bryant entered the league, straight from high school, wearing the number 8. He then switched his jersey number to 24 in 2006, his high school number. The LA Lakers paid homage to both at Kobe Bryant's retirement ceremony, which will go down in history for December 18, 2017 being the first time in history an NBA franchise team has ever retired two jerseys from the same player.

Kobe Bryant and family celebrate as the Lakers retire both his jerseys

Check out Kobe's retirement speech.

Kobe won 3 NBA championships wearing number 8 and won 2 more wearing number 24 so it's was only fair that both be retired. Kobe and family flew in on a helicopter as guests like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awaited.

In attendance were former teammates such as Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher. Many other celebs made the trip to the Staples Center to celebrate with Kobe. Check out comedian, Kevin Hart's farewell to Kobe.

Bryant is the 10th player with a retired jersey for the 16-time NBA champion Lakers. He ranks 9th on the 'Most Wins In History' list with 836 career wins in the NBA. Kobe is also the third-leading scorer in league history. No wonder they call him the man, the myth, and the legend!

The Laker organization went all out and shut down the street in front of the Staples Center, turning it into 'KobeLand' complete with a ferris wheel and other circus like attractions. Bryant isn’t eligible for the NBA Hall Of Fame until 2021, but the Lakers decided to honor him in advance. Both his jerseys will hang in the rafters of the Staples Center forever. #Ko8e24 #MambaOut