Kobe Bryant watched as not one, but TWO of his jerseys were retired by the Lakers in front of a packed house at Staples Center. No. 8 and No. 24 were unveiled simultaneously in the rafters as the Mamba grinned, soaking up the energy in the arena that his 20 years of play created.
The 14 best moments of Kobe Bryant’s jerseys retirement
That’s right, two of them!
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
It was a great moment in Lakers history, which featured an animated video tribute, words from team president Jeanie Buss, high praise from Magic Johnson, and Kobe surrounded by his family.
The entire day was about Kobe, and that seemed perfectly fine with the people of Los Angeles. Fans celebrated outside the arena, countless peers retold memories on social media, and there were “thank yous” all over Twitter.
Let’s relive all of Monday’s Kobe moments.
Phil Jackson accidentally called him the MOMba:
Phil, how’s it goink?
He issued a correction, though:
Kobe and LeBron had a puppet commercial:
JR Smith told a story about guarding Kobe 13 years ago:
Damn, J.R. isn’t over this still. But come on, how did he not know Kobe’s classic move?
Kyle Kuzma wrote a thank-you note:
That’s nice from the rookie.
There was a “Kobeland” celebration outside Staples Center:
OK, I guess.
Kobe picked his No. 24 jersey over No. 8
Finally, an answer to the question!
“It’s really, really tough for me,” Bryant said. “I think 24 was more challenging, and I tend to gravitate to things that are harder to do. And physically for me it was really, really hard for me to get up, night-in and night-out, man. It’s a grind. ... Thinking on the Boston Celtics. Having a bone fragment in my foot during that series. Having a broken finger. Muscling through that back half of the career. Some of the toughest stretches of basketball ever, man.
“And so, I guess if you force me to pick one, I’d probably go with No. 24 because of that.”
An animated video introduced Kobe:
This brought out all of the emotions, as the story takes you through Kobe’s younger years into what he became. Somehow, Kobe didn’t shed a tear.
Magic Johnson called Kobe “the greatest to ever wear purple and gold.”
Some say the title of Greatest Laker should go to Magic. He disagrees.
Buss explained why BOTH of Kobe’s jerseys were retired:
Hint: He was REALLY good in both.
Kobe grinned as both jerseys were unveiled at the same time:
No tears for the Mamba. Just joy.
Kobe gave his own speech to thank the legends before him:
Kobe stayed humble for his speech, preaching the “Mamba Mentality.”
Kobe mic-dropped (kinda) and said “Mamba out” again hahaha:
Kobe hugged Allen Iverson (who wore a Kobe shirt) and Shaq!
No beef.
Just respect.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope airballed a potential game-winner.
Then Kobe left before overtime even started hahahaha:
Hang this up as one of Kobe’s greatest moments. He saw the inevitable loss to the Warriors coming and pulled his family away to miss it.
More from Kobe’s jersey(s) retirement
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