Now that Kobe Bryant has called it quits on his playing career, the discussion of which of his uniform numbers should be hanging from the rafters at Staples Center can ramp up. He isn’t giving any hints which one it might be, though.
Bryant, of course, wore No. 8 for the first ten years of his career and No. 24 for the second half. He was great in both. While wearing No. 8, Bryant won three championships, averaged 23.9 points per game, won a scoring title, and had his 81-point game against the Raptors. In No. 24, he won two championships, averaged 26.2 points per game, took home his only MVP Award, claimed two NBA Finals MVP Awards, and also won a scoring title.
A case can certainly be made for each. Which ever one gets the honor, one thing is for sure, whoever puts on the other one will have huge shoes to fill.
Kobe on which number he'll retire. He laughed and said whichever number is chosen "it'll be pretty hard for someone else to wear the other"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 24, 2016
If I had to pick one, I would go with No. 8. That’s when was at the peak of his athletic powers, averaged a career-best 35.6 points, dropped a mind boggling 81 points, and won three straight championships. He had a great fro early in his career too. I wouldn’t argue much against No. 24 though. The Lakers should just retire both.
H/T For The Win
