On Monday night, Kobe Bryant became the first NBA player to have two jerseys retired by the same team, as no. 8 and no. 24 rose into the rafters in front of a jam-packed, star-studded STAPLES Center.
Lakers president of basketball opeations Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Lakers president and majority owner Jeanie Buss spoke during the halftime ceremony that culminated with a double jersey reveal and Bryant on the microphone.
Standing at center court, Buss explained the decision to retire both of Bryant's jerseys by stating that if one looked at Bryant's career with no. 8 and no. 24 separately, "Both of those numbers would qualify for the Hall of Fame."
Kobe Bryant has 2 jerseys in the rafters... pic.twitter.com/ETl2RkMsRt
— SoCal Sports 4 You (@SoCalSports4You) December 19, 2017
Bryant won three NBA championships and scored 81 points in a game while donning the no. 8 and claimed two NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVPs and a league MVP wearing no. 24. As such, Buss' argument appeared to hold up, and the celebration at Staples Center featured former teammates, coaches and other members of the Lakers and NBA family.
From Bill Russell to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Allen Iverson to Shaquille O'Neal, Bryant's ceremony brought out some of the greatest names in the history of the league.
For his part, Bryant told reporters that getting his jerseys retired meant more because of the company he joined, rather than all he accomplished on the basketball court.
Bryant Family Photo pic.twitter.com/xy7GtGvpWn
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) December 19, 2017
Then, when the ceremony was wrappin up and Bryant had finished addressing the crowd, he concluded the ceremony with his now famous catch phrase: "Mamba out."
Photo Credit: Shahan Ahmed