Los Angeles Lakers
Much props to Kobe Bryant for taking his place among his fellow Laker greats at STAPLES Center tonight. During the halftime ceremony of the Lakers-Golden State Warriors game in Los Angeles today (the Warriors won in overtime, 116-114), Kobe, his family, his former teammates (such as Shaquille O'Neal, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher and Gary Payton) and some former rivals (Allen Iverson, who took on Kobe and Co. when L.A. played against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2001 NBA Finals, was at the game) were on-hand to watch as two black panels near the ceiling rafters descended to reveal the two jersey numbers, #8 and #24, that Bryant wore from 1996 to last year. It was a bittersweet moment...and as Lakers president Jeanie Buss pointed out, was all the more sweeter considering that Kobe won five titles and earned his spot as a Los Angeles sports legend by staying with the Lake Show for all 20 years of his career. That must have slightly stung for the Warriors' Kevin Durant (whose team watched the ceremony from the sideline)—who got flack for leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to win a championship with Golden State last season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Can't wait till a bronze statue of the Black Mamba is eventually put up outside of STAPLES Center. Much like Shaq's statue, I'll drive to L.A. to take a photo of the metallic ode to KB8 / KB24's greatness once it's on display. Though the big question is: Which jersey number will be represented on Kobe's statue? Happy Monday!
Los Angeles Lakers
NBA
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#Ko8e24 @KobeBryant's Ultimate #8v24 @Lakers #NBAMixtape! https://t.co/Dyhw8Hgq0u
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2017
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