Earlier today, TMZ reported that the Los Angeles Lakers have decided to retire Kobe Bryant's jersey on December 18th, prior to their game against the Golden State Warriors. After it was revealed the Kobe's jerseys would be retired on December 18th, tickets for the game against Golden State skyrocketed from $125 to $650 just to get the cheapest seat in the Staples Center.
The only question was, which of Kobe's numbers would they retire?
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers will be retiring both of Kobe's jerseys, number 8 and number 24.
The Black Mamba wore #8 for the first 10 seasons of his career and switched to #24 for his final 10 seasons. While wearing #8, Kobe won three NBA titles and made eight All-Star appearances. Donning the #24, Kobe added two more championship rings, as well as nine more All-Star appearances and one NBA regular season MVP award.
The 39-year old, 18-time NBA All-Star retired at the end of the 2015-16 season, wrapping up an illustrious 20-year career - all of which were spent with the Los Angeles Lakers because the Charlotte Hornets traded him on draft night. As many of you remember, in his final game with the Lakers, Kobe dropped 60 points in a 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz.
During his career, the Black Mamba won the NBA title five times and captured two NBA Finals MVPs, as well as the NBA regular season MVP in the 2007-08 season. He boasts career averages of 25 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Other Lakers legends to have their jerseys retired include Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West, Jamaal Wilkes and James Worthy.
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