8 or 24? Lakers could retire both of Bryant’s numbers

By: Bong Lozada - 8 years ago

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant wearing jersey no. 24 and no. 8. Photos from AFP

Kobe Bryant has cemented his status as one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time.

Of all the greats who have played for the 15-time champions; including Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, and George Mikan to name a few, Bryant is the all-time leader in points scored for the Lakers with 32,982 as per Basketball Reference.

And just as any Laker great, his number–or numbers—would be retired eventually.

According to the LA Times, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said the numbers 8 and 24 could be both retired once Bryant steps away from the game for good.

“I don’t know the answer. Obviously it’s going to be 8, 24 or it could be both,” Kupchak said.

Bryant has played the first half of his career wearing the no. 8 when we he won three straight titles from 2000 to 2002 with O’Neal.

He then switched to 24 in the latter half of his career when he won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 with the help of Pau Gasol.