It’s been over seven years since Kobe Bryant retired from the NBA (April 13, 2016), but the Laker legend’s impact will forever stay in the game, especially when the numbers 8 and 24 are together.
Both of Bryant’s iconic jerseys hang from the rafters at Crypto.com Arena as we celebrate what would’ve been his 45th birthday on August 23 and Mamba Day on August.
20 Years of Kobe Fun Facts
5-time NBA champion
2-time Finals MVP
2007-08 NBA MVP
2-time NBA scoring champion
2-time Olympic Gold medalist
18-time NBA All-Star (3rd all-time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James)
4-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (T-most all-time – Bob Pettit)
1997 Slam Dunk Contest winner
33,643 career points (4th all-time behind LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone)
15-time All-NBA selection (T-2nd most all-time)
12-time All-Defensive selection (T-2nd most all-time)
9-time 1st team All-Defensive selection (T-most all-time – Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett)
122 career 40-point games (3rd-most all-time behind Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan)
25 career 50-point games (3rd-most all-time behind Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan)
6 career 60-point games (2nd-most all-time behind Wilt Chamberlain)
Kobe Bryant: Best Laker Ever?
Some of the greatest players in NBA history have worn the Lakers jersey. Generational superstars like Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Jerry West, and other Hall-of-Famers like Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, James Worthy and Jamaal Wilkes.
However, Bryant might top them all, in part because he wore the purple and gold for 20 seasons, the 2nd-most seasons with one team in NBA history, only behind Dirk Nowitzki’s 21 with the Mavericks.
Kobe is the Lakers all-time leader in games played, points, field goals, 3-pointers, free throws and steals, and ranks 2nd in assists to Magic Johnson.
A little numerology: 8 or 24?
Bryant played the first 10 years of his career wearing No. 8, and the last 10 years wearing No. 24. Even though the last three years of his career were derailed by multiple injuries, the resemblance of his total production in each jersey is striking.
When the Redeem Team beat Spain in the Gold Medal game back in the 2008 Olympics, it was Aug. 24, 2008. Yup, that is 08/24/08. Bryant’s two jersey numbers while wearing the purple and gold jersey for 20 years. Oh, by the way, he had 20 points in that Gold Medal game. More on this during Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.
Here are 10 great Kobe Bryant moments. Enjoy the memories!