THERE is a possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers will retire both the No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys of Kobe Bryant.
In an event for season ticket holders on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) at the Staples Center, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was asked which jersey number will be retired for Bryant, who is playing his final season of a 20-year career with the purple and gold.
Kupchak said he has no definite answer for now, but hinted there's a chance that both numbers will be retired.
“I don't know the answer. Obviously it's going to be 8, 24 or it could be both,” said Kupchak as quoted by the Los Angeles Times.
Bryant wore the No. 8 jersey in his early years with the Lakers where he partnered with Shaquille O'Neal, before shifting to No. 24 when he won two of his five NBA titles with the ballclub.
Kupchak said it’s going to be “painful” for the Lakers to see Bryant leave the game.
"We cannot move on as a team until Kobe leaves. Part of that to me is painful because I've been here 20 years with Kobe. This is a year that's dedicated to Kobe and his farewell. From my point of view, it gives me complete clarity. We know what our cap situation is going to be like.”