According to Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, Kobe has decided on No. 24: "When the day comes that Kobe Bryant's jersey is retired by the Lakers, it will go on the Staples Center wall as No. 24, not No. 8. That's Bryant's preference, and so it shall be."
The sound of Kobe stating which of his jerseys he would like to be retired—the old-school No. 8 or the relatively new No. 24—is barely audible over the roar of aghast Lakers fans screaming in horror at the prospect of life without the Black Mamba.
Still, choosing which number to retire presents an interesting decision. Unlike Michael Jordan, who was associated much more closely with No. 23 than No. 45, neither of Bryant's numbers seem to carry more weight than the other, though both jerseys have deep significance in NBA lore.
Kobe ascended to greatness as No. 8. He won three titles in that uniform, and one night in January of 2006, he sliced up the Toronto Raptors for 81 points.
That off-season, he switched to his old number from high school, No. 24, which helps mark the trajectory of his career.
No. 24 did it without Shaquille O'Neal, delivering two more titles to Jerry Buss, the last one coming in a sublime seven-game series against the rival Boston Celtics.
He's also donned #24 for many of his career milestones, such as passing the late, great Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the all-time scoring list.
Regardless of which jersey Bryant wants hung up, no Laker is likely to wear either number ever again.
The sound of Kobe stating which of his jerseys he would like to be retired—the old-school No. 8 or the relatively new No. 24—is barely audible over the roar of aghast Lakers fans screaming in horror at the prospect of life without the Black Mamba.
Still, choosing which number to retire presents an interesting decision. Unlike Michael Jordan, who was associated much more closely with No. 23 than No. 45, neither of Bryant's numbers seem to carry more weight than the other, though both jerseys have deep significance in NBA lore.
Kobe ascended to greatness as No. 8. He won three titles in that uniform, and one night in January of 2006, he sliced up the Toronto Raptors for 81 points.
That off-season, he switched to his old number from high school, No. 24, which helps mark the trajectory of his career.
No. 24 did it without Shaquille O'Neal, delivering two more titles to Jerry Buss, the last one coming in a sublime seven-game series against the rival Boston Celtics.
He's also donned #24 for many of his career milestones, such as passing the late, great Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the all-time scoring list.
Regardless of which jersey Bryant wants hung up, no Laker is likely to wear either number ever again.