THE Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly honor the team's latest retired legend Kobe Bryant with a jersey retirement, hanging his number up in the rafters of the Staples Center.
But while that's certain, it remains debatable which number the Lakers will choose to retire. As a rookie in 1996, Bryant wore No.8 where he won three straight championships with Shaquille O’Neal.
In 2007, he later switched to No.24 and went on to win two more championships, earned his only NBA MVP award and played in it until his last game in April this year.
The case may be strong for each one, and the Lakers have hinted that they could retire both. But should the team choose just one, Bryant himself provided his own trademark take to the debate.
In a tweet by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Thursday (Friday, Manila time), she asked the Black Mamba what he thought would be the most appropriate choice.
“(Whichever number is chosen), it’ll be pretty hard for someone else to wear the other one,” said the Lakers legend, who played all of his 20 years as a pro with the Lakers.
Without a doubt, the Black Mamba remains lethal with his strikes even in retirement.
Ramona Shelburne asked Kobe which number he'll retire.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 24, 2016
His response: ????
(via: @ramonashelburne) pic.twitter.com/FZtPX0eDYP