J-Speaks: The Retirement of No. 8, and No. 24 by the Lakers

In the summer of 1996, the Los Angeles Lakes traded then center Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets, for the No. 13 overall pick in that June’s draft for a 17-year-old basketball phenom out of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, PA. That teen would go on to rewrite the record books of the storied “Purple and Gold.” Win championships; become a perennial All-Star, All-NBA selection, All-NBA Defensive Team selection, and led the Lakers to as many titles as Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson did. More than anything, he had a major influence on a generation of today’s NBA players; earn the highest of regards from previous hardwood greats; and made the energy, work ethic, and determination to be great legendary. On Monday night in front of a star-studded Staples Center crowd, and many other watching at home, the Lakers gave the ultimate thanks to the guy who spent his entire 20-year career in Southern California, two times over. 

At intermission of the Lakers tilt versus the Golden State Warriors, which they lost 117-113 in overtime on Monday, they retired the No. 8, and the No. 24 jerseys of future First- Ballot Hall of Famer Kobe Bean “Black Mamba” Bryant. 

“It’s hard to put into words,” Bryant said when asked by Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Trudell at the pregame press conference. “Growing up, and watching all of these great players play, and learning so much from them. To now be a part of that wall means everything to me.”

That Wall Bryant’s No. 8, and No. 24 joined consists of Hall of Famers of the late great Wilt Chamberlin (N. 13); Elgin Baylor (No. 22), who was in attendance for the ceremony; Gail Goodrich (No. 25); Earvin “Magic” Johnson (No. 32); Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (No. 33), who was also on hand, along with Shaquille O’Neal (No. 34), “Big Game” James Worthy (No. 42), who is now an in studio analyst for Spectrum Sportsnet, Jerry West (No. 44), former Lakers GM, and Jamaal Wilkes (No. 52).  

Bryant also talked about how Monday night, in terms of the importance of his legacy is that while what he did in his career is awesome, but does it have an impact on the next generation. 

Without question Bryant has had a major impact on not just the next generation of NBA players, but pro sports athletes across the board, past, and present, players, and coaches. 

“Congratulations Kobe Bryant! Hail Mamba, too. Two Jersey’s retired is one way to measure your impact on the Lakers,” is what former Knicks team president, and former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, @PhilJackson11 tweeted. 

“Congrats!!!” was what 2001 league MVP, and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, who was also on hand tweeted @theofficialai3, with #Str8SerialKilla. 

“He was a killer. He was a beast out there,” were the words of Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden. 

“Thank you #Ko8e24 for 20 years. Wish it could’ve lasted 20 more,” was the tweet that came from legendary rapper, entertainer, actor, and California native Ice Cube, @icecube. 

“Kill or be killed. That was his moto,” is what Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony said of Bryant’s career. “If you were prey, he was coming for you.”

“You knew when you went against him, either 8 or 24 that you had to be ready,” were the words by LeBron James about Bryant. “You had to have your (shoe) laces tight.”

“Forever immortalized through the yelling of his name every time someone shoots a crumpled paper ball towards a garbage can. Truly Legendary,” Houston Texans star defensive lineman JJ Watt, @JJWat tweeted, with #Kobe. 

“Congrats @kobebryant I want to officially welcome you to the legend’s club! #Ko8324, they retired my jersey2x BUT 2 Jerseys @1x what an honor. @NBAHistory,” was the tweet from the 11-time NBA champion, and Celtics legend Bill Russell @RealBillRussell, with #MambaMentality #NBA #LakeShow #KobeWeek. 

“It was an HONOR!!! 8vs24,” were the words future Hall of Famer, and three-time champion Dwyane Wade tweeted @dwyanewade, with #welldeserved #Greatness @kobebryant. 

“Still have all my @kobebyrant cards because we all knew this day was coming! Congrats legend!,” were the words tweeted by former WNBA MVP, and forward for the Washington Mystics Elena Delle Donne, with #Ko8e24 #8vs#24. 

The jersey that hang in rafters of the Staples Center now had a major impact on Bryant, which led to him being in the moment he had on Monday night.  is really important in the sense of what we’ve done is awesome. But, I think what’s more important for a legacy is how that effects the next generation to come.” 

His resume alone is what made this great honor very easy, even if just one of his jerseys went into the rafters of Staples Center, which opened its doors in the 1999-00 season, where he, and Hall of Famer, and current TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal, and Hall of Fame head coach Phil Jackson led the Lakers to the first of three straight NBA titles. 

It was the first of five Larry O’Brien trophies that Bryant would lead the Lakers to. Along the way, Bryant would win two Finals MVPs, and one regular season MVP in 2008. He was an 18-time All-Star, capturing game MVP honors four times (2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011); 11-time All-NBA First-Team selection, and two-time All-NBA Second, and Third-Team choice respectably; nine of his 12 NBA All-Defensive Team selections were for the First-Team. He won back-to-back scoring titles in 2006, and 2007, and won the NBA Slam Dunk contest in 1997. 

The highest achievement that one can ever have bestowed upon them however did not happen over night for Bryant. This was all the result of relentless, undeniable, never stop hard work, which came to be known as “The Mamba Mentality.”

That mentality stems from a rookie season, where he was the youngest player to ever play in the NBA at the time had the likes of All-Star guards Eddie Jones, and Nick Van Exel in front of him. While he did play some he only averaged just 7.6 points per game, on just 41.7 percent from the field. 

Bryant’s rookie season would be remembered though for the four air balls he shot in the Game 5 loss, 98-93 at the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semifinals, where they lost the series 4-1. 

Three years later in the 2000 Finals versus the Indiana Pacers, a 21-year-old Bryant got those same opportunities in Game 4, and this time around made those clutch shots in overtime, and the Lakers won that game, and would capture the title in six games. 

It was one of those moment where Bryant got a taste of success, and he would not let that go. He was able to see the fruits of his labor come to fruition, and he wanted more, and he got more. It went from just being able to earn consistent minutes from then head coach Del Harris with the previously mentioned Jones in front of him. 

“He was not going to let anybody stand in his way of getting back to that every single year that he competed,” former adversary, and NBATV analyst Brent Barry said during the Monday night addition of “Gametime.” 

Barry added to that by saying that when Bryant wore the No. 8, where he scored 40-plus points 67 times, for the first decade of his career, he called himself the head hunter, where he tried to prove that he belonged on the same hardwood with the rest of his teammates, and opponents. 

That was a great blessing, but at times a curse for him, because he was teamed with the most dominant player in “The Association,” in O’Neal. That combination did lead the Lakers to three straight titles, but it was a partnership that had its ups, and downs. Bryant was a competitor who wanted to show that he was someone who had the tools to be great, and O’Neal was one who cared about taking care of the present. 

When the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals to the Detroit Pistons in five games, the Lakers decided to eventually trade O’Neal to the Miami Heat, and the re-signed then unrestricted free agent Kobe Bryant to a new seven-year contract. 

The first three seasons with Bryant at the helm, the Lakers missed the playoffs the first season; and were bounced out of the opening round the other two times. 

This is also the time where Bryant changed his jersey number to 24, where he scored 40-plus points 55 times, and became more of a leader, mentor, and someone who had empathy with his teammates, and made an impact on them as well as the opposition. 

This was especially helpful to some of Bryant’s teammates then of Pau Gasol, who the Lakers acquired during the 2007-08 season; Lamar Odom, who was acquired in the O’Neal trade in the summer of 2004; Sasha Vuacic; Ron Artest, and the most trusted teammate that Bryant ever in Derek Fisher, who also won five titles on those Laker teams.

“No better day to return to Twitter than today. On my way to @STAPLESCenter to see @kobebryant get his jerseys retired,” were the words Odom, @RealLamarOdom tweeted, with #brother4life. 

After losing to the Boston Celtics, and their dynamic trio of future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett, ESPN NBA analyst and 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce; and Ray Allen in six games in the 2008 Finals, the Lakers led by Bryant won the next two titles back-to-back in five games over the Orlando Magic in 2009, and in a seven-game classic against those same Celtics in 2010. 

Those championships that Bryant led the Lakers to, especially his fifth against the legendary C’s gave him validation, that he could lead the Lakers to the top of the NBA mountain with him as the best player. 

When it comes down to it, whether he wore the No. 8, and the No. 24, Bryant was a relentless, tireless, worker at his craft, where he was brash, and unrelenting. He was to this generation, what the great Michael Jordan was to the previous one. A player, love him, or hate him, he raised the level of the NBA from the players, to at times the front offices of these organizations. 

The best example of this is the people who emceed the ceremony for Bryant’s jerseys being raised in Lakers President of Basketball Operations “Magic” Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss, the daughter of the late great Lakers’ owner Dr. Jerry Buss, and General Manager, and Bryant’s former agent Rob Pelinka. 

Johnson, started the ceremonies off by saying, “Were here to celebrate the greatest whose ever wore the ‘Purple and Gold.’” 

He added to that by saying for those 20 years, Bryant thrilled us. He made us ask the questions, “What did we just see? What did we just witness? And, he gave us five NBA championships.” 

“We are so blessed to have had this man where the ‘Purple and Gold’ for 20 years, and he was all about excellence. He was driven. His will to win was very, very high. And tonight, were able to put not just one of his jerseys, but both of his jerseys up high.” 

Those kind, and proud words were matched by Mrs. Buss, who called the ceremony a celebration of the journey that Bryant took Laker fans, and NBA fans on during his 20 seasons. 

Fighting back tears, Mrs. Buss quoted the gratitude, and the appreciation of some of the Lakers fans for all that Bryant had done. 

“Thank you Kobe for your incredible work ethic. Never giving up, and somehow figuring out how to impose your will on a game, and single handedly changing the outcome,” was one quote.” 

Another quote thanked Bryant for teaching us what happens when you, “outwork fear with a relentless ‘Mamba Mentality.’ Teaching us that failure is a non-existent concept.” 

The one quote that Mrs. Buss read that received the loudest ovation from those in attendance was when Mrs. Buss quoted, while fighting back tears a fan thanked Bryant, “For staying loyal to the ‘Purple and Gold,’ and remaining a Laker for life when it might have been easier for you to leave.” 

“We asked you for your hustle, and you gave us your heart, which was so much more. You showed us how to win by sheer will, hard work, and perseverance. You have forever made your mark on this franchise.” 

Besides giving his heart to the NBA, and the Lakers, he also gave that same heart to his wife, the former Vanessa Laine for 16 years. They have three daughters together in 14-year-old Natalia Diamante; 11-year-old Gianna Maria-Onore; and Bianka, who is one. 

Bryant in addressing the audience talked about that he had doubts if he could get himself to play to the level that he did in the final game of his career on Apr. 13, 2016 versus the Utah Jazz. 

Before that historic night, Vanessa presented her husband a row of retired Laker jerseys from Baylor, “Magic” Johnson, Shaq (O’Neal), Abdul-Jabbar, West, and the rest with personal messages signed to him. There was also a personal message from Jordan, Russell, Celtics’ Hall of Famer Larry Bird. 

“When I saw that, I knew then I had to turn it up. Had to turn it up,” Bryant said of that night when he scored 60 points to lead the Lakers to a 101-96 win in the season finale versus the Jazz, and the final game of his career. “Thank you baby for being an inspiration to me.”

That gesture was unthinkable at one time when in the summer of 2003, Bryant was arrested by the sheriff’s office in Eagle, CO in connection with a sexual assault investigation that was filed by a 19-year-old employee at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera, where he was undergoing knee surgery at a nearby hospital. 

The accuser had stated that Bryant raped her in his hotel room just 24 hours prior to him having his knee procedure. He admitted to committing adultery, but denied the act of sexual assault. 

While the case was dropped a little over a year later by the prosecutors when the plaintiff refused to testify, the damage to Bryant’s reputation had already been done with his endorsement deals with McDonald’s, and Nutella being terminated, and the sales of his jersey falling dramatically. 

Someway, somehow Bryant was able to regain his image; piece back together his marriage, which is stronger than ever as evidenced on Monday night, and is an incredible father to his three daughters, who he hopes has shown them that through hard work, you can make whatever dream you have a reality. 

How when you get up early, and put in the work when others are still asleep; when you are up late at night putting in the work when others are sleeping; or when you are exhausted, and you want to give up, you push yourself even more to get that work done.  

“That is the actually the dream. That’s the dream,” Bryant said about what he wants to extend to his three daughters. “It’s not the destination. It’s the journey, and if you guys can understand that, then what you’ll see happen is that you won’t accomplish your dreams. You’re dreams won’t come true. Something greater will, and if you guys understand that, then I’m doing my job as a father.” 

That father after scoring 60 points on the final night of his NBA career, walked out of Staples Center in warmup Adidas Los Angeles Lakers hooded pull over shirt, and sweat pants holding the left hand of his wife alongside his two oldest daughters. 

“Amazing how fast time goes man. Extremely blessed, and extremely appreciative. Dream come true,” Bryant said as he walked out of the arena with security, and cameras following. 

The other thing that Bryant can also say about his final game is that he scored in double figures, and hit a solid percentage of his shots, going 22 for 50 from the floor. 

In their final games respectably, Chamberlin had 23 points going 9 for 16 shooting. Abdul-Jabbar had just seven, on 2 for 8. “Magic” Johnson was 2 for 8 from the field, scoring eight points. Worthy had just seven points, on 3 for 7. 

For me, there are three specific ways that I will remember the latest Laker to have his jerseys retired. 

I will remember his performance on Jan. 22, 2006 versus the Toronto Raptors, where he scored the second most points in NBA history where had 81 points, going 28 for 46 from the floor, including 7 for 13 from three-point range, 18 for 20 from the free throw line, with six rebounds, and three steals in leading the Lakers to a 122-104 win in a game that they trailed by 18 points at one time.

I will remember how in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals versus the Celtics on June 17 how Bryant struggled mightily from the field on that night 6 for 24, but found a way to score 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to go along with 15 rebounds in helping the Lakers to an 83-79 win versus the Celtics to win the series 4-3, and their second straight title. 

He struggled from the floor, but after the buzzer grabbed the ball, jumped up on the scorer table, and was like he had gone to heaven the way he, and his teammates were celebrating on that night. 

It also helped on that night that Gasol had a brilliant performance with 19 points, and 18 boards. Artest, now Metta World Peace had 20 points, five boards, and five steals, and Fisher had 10 points. 

What I will remember the most of all about Kobe Bean Bryant is how he fought back from a torn Achilles tendon at the end of the 2012-13 season; a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee in December 2013; and torn rotator cuff on Jan. 21, 2015 at the New Orleans Pelicans to end his career on his own terms. 

That end consisted of every opposing arena he played in that season love, admiration, and respect was shown to him by the fans, with some wearing his No. 8 for No. 24 jersey, to others displaying created signing saying thanks for the memories.  

It is these moments of greatness, and true grit to comeback why I call Kobe Bean Bryant my favorite NBA player of all-time. I like Michael Jordan. I am a huge fan of LeBron James; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who I met in person once as a student at Howard University; Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, but the NBA player I identify with the most is Bryant. 

Twenty-one years ago, then Lakers owner Jerry West called “Magic” Johnson the day Bryant worked out. West said to Johnson that he witnessed the greatest workout he ever seen in his entire life. That workout was a prelude to 20-years of excellence.

In those 20 years, Bryant became the Lakers all-time leader in games played at 1,346, 253 more than Abdul-Jabbar. The franchise leader, and No. 3 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list at 33,364 points, 8,172 more than West, and 9,188 more than Abdul-Jabbar. He is also the Lakers’ all-time leader in steals (1,944), and free throws made (8,378).

On the front end of those 20 seasons wearing No. 8, Bryant scored 16,866 points, being selected as an All-Star eight times, and winning three titles. On the back end of those 20 seasons wearing No. 24, Bryant scored 16,777 points, won his own regular season league MVP award, was named an All-Star 10 times, winning two NBA championships, and being named Finals MVP both times. 

Kobe Bean Bryant said hello to the public across the globe when he was just 18 years, and 72 days old. In between, he thrilled us, tossed in a few wows, and a some “Oh my Gods!” Then he finished with a flat out drop the mic with the previously mentioned 60 points two seasons back. On Monday night Lakers fans at Staples Center, the front office brass of the organization, and those watching across the world on television or an electronic device saw the immortalization of the No. 8, and No. 24 that will never be dawn by another Laker ever again.    

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 12/18/17 12 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Chris Miles, and Sam Mitchell; 12/18/17 6:30 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “10 Before Tip,” with Jared Greenberg; 12/18/17 9:30 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Chris Miles, Sam Mitchell, and Brent Barry; 12/18/17 10:30 p.m. contest Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers on NBATV, courtesy of Spectrum Sportsnet with Bill Macdonald, Stu Lantz, and Mike Trudell; www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameid=26122013; https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201006170LAL.html; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant.