At the time, Kobe Bryant was left in the center circle of the Staples Center after scoring 60 points in the last game of his career and, tonight in December 2017, it was in the same place that the Lakers legend had been. honored, becoming the first player to have two numbers, #8 and #24, retired by the same franchise.
Under the eyes of the former glories of the Californian franchise (Shaq, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor…), his former teammates, like Lamar Odom, but also other NBA legends (Allen Iverson, Bill Russell…) , the ceremony began with a screening of “Dear Basketball,” the Oscar-nominated animated short created by Kobe Bryant. It was then Magic Johnson who took the floor to introduce “the best player in the history of purple & gold”.
“He gave us 20 years of memories, and five titles. Three with the number 8, and two with the 24,” had summarized the leader of the Lakers. “I hope you recorded all of his games because there will never be another Kobe Bryant. There will never be an athlete who will come out of the way he finished 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”
Tears in her eyes, Jeannie Buss, owner of the Lakers, had wanted to thank the loyalty of Kobe Bryant who, with Dirk Nowitzki, was the only NBA player to have played 20 seasons for the same franchise.
“Tonight we celebrate the journey you have given us for 20 seasons. Whether it’s number 8 or number 24, every feat you’ve achieved in both jerseys has a place in the Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Jerry Buss’ daughter. “Thank you for sticking with purple & gold when it would have been easier to look elsewhere. You left your mark forever in our franchise, and no one will ever wear your two numbers again. »
As during his career, it was obviously Kobe Bryant who had the last word. Modest, the soloist had preferred to focus on the tradition of the Lakers rather than his own exploits.
“Tonight is Lakers tradition. If my numbers can be withdrawn today, it is thanks to those who came before me. Magic, Kareem, Shaq, who pushed me every day, Abdul-Jabbar, Baylor, West,” he explains. “This evening is also a mark of the confidence that Jerry Buss gave to a skinny kid from Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. And finally, this evening is also for the future of the Lakers and making sure that the spirit of this jersey makes the next twenty years better than the last twenty. »
“The path to take is more important than the point of arrival”
Speaking to fans and his three daughters, Kobe Bryant also wanted to emphasize the importance of work ethic. Main reason for the successes acquired during his career.
“Without the fans and the expectations you had of me, I wouldn’t have had the strength to finish my workouts at 5:00 in the morning. You have pushed me all these years and I thank you for that.” he said to the sound of a bronca from the Staples Center. “Finally, I would like to address my daughters. I hope tonight isn’t about just working hard to achieve your dreams. From this evening, I would like you to remember those moments when you get up early to train, those moments when you don’t have the motivation but where you find the strength to work despite everything, these are the moments that represent your dreams. It is not the end point, but the path you take to get there that is important. And if you do that, not only will your dreams come true but much more. »
In the center circle, as after his last match, Kobe Bryant had only one thing left to add, this time for good: “Mamba out! Two years later, on a Sunday afternoon in January, Kobe reached the skies at 41, mowed down in a helicopter crash along with eight other people, including his daughter Gianna.
