On December 18, 2017, the Lakers retired Kobe Bryant’s numbers

At that time we left Kobe Bryant in the center circle of the Staples Center after the scoring 60 points in the last game of his career and, tonight in December 2017, the Lakers legend was honored at the same venue, becoming the first player to have two numbers, #8 and #24, retired by the same franchise.

Under the eyes of the former fame of the California franchise (Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor…), his former teammates, such as Lamar Odom, but also other NBA legends (Allen Iverson, Bill Russell…), the ceremony began with a screening “Dear Basketball”An animated short film created by Oscar-winning Kobe Bryant. Then Magic Johnson took the floor to introduce “the greatest player in the history of the Purple & Gold.”

“He gave us twenty years of memories and five titles. Three with the number 8 and two with the 24.” summed up the Lakers’ leader. “I hope you recorded all his games because there will never be another Kobe Bryant. There will never be an athlete who went out the way he ended his career, scoring 60 points in his last game!”

“May the spirit of this jersey make the next twenty years better than the last twenty”

With tears in her eyes, Jeanie Bass, the owner of the Lakers, wanted to thank Kobe Bryant for his loyalty, who, along with Dirk Nowitzki, was the only NBA player who played twenty seasons for the same franchise.

“Tonight we celebrate the journey you’ve given us for 20 seasons. Whether it’s No. 8 or No. 24, every feat you’ve accomplished in both jerseys has its place in the Hall of Fame.” said the daughter of Dr. Jerry Buss. “Thank you for sticking with the Purple & Gold when it would have been easier to look elsewhere. You left a lasting mark on our franchise and no one will ever wear both of your numbers again.”

As throughout his career, Kobe Bryant obviously had the last word. Modest, the soloist preferred to emphasize the tradition of the Lakers rather than his own exploits.

“Tonight represents a Lakers tradition. If my numbers can be retired today, it’s because of those who came before me. Magic, Kareem, Shaq, who pushed me every day, Abdul-Jabbar, Baylor, West.” he explained. “This night is also a sign of the trust Jerry Bass placed in a skinny kid from Lower Marion High School in Philly. And ultimately, this night is about the future of the Lakers and making sure the spirit of this jersey makes the next twenty years better than the last twenty.”

“The way to go is more important than the point of arrival”

While talking to fans and his three daughters, Kobe Bryant also wanted to emphasize the importance of work ethic. The main reason for the success achieved during the career.

“Without the fans and the expectations you had of me, I wouldn’t have had the strength to finish training at 5:00 in the morning. You’ve pushed me all these years and thank you for that.” he declared over the sound of horns from the Staples Center. “Finally, I would like to address my daughters. I hope that this evening is not just about working hard to make your dreams come true. From tonight, I would like you to remember those moments when you get up early to train, those moments when you have no motivation but you find the strength to work despite everything, these are the moments that represent your dreams. It’s not important to get there, and it’s not only important to get there, it’s important to get there. dreams do come true, but much more.

In the center circle, as after the last match, Kobe Bryant had only one thing left to add, this time forever: “Mamba out!” »

Two years later, on a Sunday afternoon in January, Kobe Bryant reached heaven at 41died in a helicopter crash with eight other people, including his daughter Gianna.