Is Number 24 Retired for the Lakers?

Yes, the iconic number 24 jersey is retired by the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. It was retired in 2017 to honor legendary shooting guard Kobe Bryant after his storied 20-year career with the team.

Number 24 is now synonymous with Kobe and his incredible legacy as one of basketball‘s all-time greats. No other Laker will ever wear it again.

Let me walk you through the history behind the Lakers‘ retired jerseys and the significance of Bryant‘s number 24 being immortalized in the rafters forever.

Kobe Bryant‘s Incredible Career as a Laker

Before we get to his jersey retirement, let‘s recap Kobe Bryant‘s remarkable career which made him the most beloved Laker since Magic Johnson:

• 5 NBA championships – Won 3 straight alongside Shaq from 2000-2002, then 2 more with Pau Gasol in 2009 and 2010

• 18 All-Star selections – Tied for most all-time, an All-Star in every season from 1998 to 2016

• 15 All-NBA selections – Made the 1st team 11 times, a demonstration of his sustained excellence

• 4 All-Star Game MVPs – Still the all-time record

• 2 Finals MVPs – Led the Lakers to titles in 2009 and 2010

• 33,643 points – 4th in NBA history at time of retirement

• Lakers franchise leader – Points, games played and many other records

And of course, Kobe had countless iconic moments, from his 81 point game to his 60 point final game. His tireless work ethic and "Mamba mentality" made him a once-in-a-generation superstar.

Simply put, Bryant was the face of the Lakers franchise for 20 years. He guided them to glory at the turn of the millennium alongside Shaq, then led a second act of championships in the 2010s before retiring in 2016 as an all-time great.

Bryant‘s Shift from Number 8 to 24

Kobe Bryant started his NBA career wearing number 8. It was the number he wore in the Adidas ABCD high school camp, inspired by the sum of the digits of 143 (meaning "I love you").

He won 3 championships donning the number 8 jersey from 2000 to 2002. After the Lakers‘ disappointing early playoff exit in 2004, Bryant went through a period of frustration with the franchise.

Seeking change, he switched to number 24 in 2006, the same number he wore in high school before switching to 8.

Bryant described it as a "clean slate" and "moving on." The number 24 was about emotional and personal growth for him into a new stage of his career.

In his first season in 24, Bryant went on to average a league-leading 35.4 points per game. He wore number 24 through the remainder of his career until retirement in 2016.

December 18, 2017 – Kobe‘s Historic Jersey Retirement

On December 18, 2017 the Lakers held a grand ceremony retiring both of Kobe Bryant‘s jersey numbers – 8 and 24. This made him the first NBA player to have two numbers retired by the same franchise.

It was a star-studded event at Staples Center with Lakers legends including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Kobe‘s former teammate Shaquille O‘Neal in attendance.

As his two jerseys were raised to the rafters alongside the greats, Bryant made a moving speech to Lakers fans, calling it the "greatest honor" of his career.

Bryant expressed his eternal gratitude for being able to play for just one franchise over 20 years. His retired jerseys cemented his eternal bond with Laker nation.

Retiring both his numbers recognized Kobe‘s evolution and two distinct championship eras with the team. Having 8 alongside 24 in the rafters was the perfect representation of his unparalleled Lakers legacy.

A Look at Kobe Bryant‘s Career Stats and Milestones

To fully appreciate Kobe Bryant‘s legendary status that made his number 24 jersey retirement inevitable, let‘s examine some key stats:

• 33,643 points – 4th all-time in NBA history at retirement
• 48.5% career field goal % – Excellent for a high volume shooting guard
• 25.0 points per game – 18th highest scoring average ever
• 18 All-Star selections – Tied for the most ever with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• 4 All-Star Game MVPs – Most in NBA history
• 11,719 FGs made – 3rd most ever behind only Kareem and Karl Malone

Let‘s also look at some of Bryant‘s incredible career milestones:

• 81 points – 2nd highest single game total ever, against the Raptors in 2006
• 61 points – Highest scoring game by player 34+ years old, in his final NBA game
• 5 titles – Won more championships than legends like LeBron James and Michael Jordan
• 20 seasons with 1 team – Rare loyalty in modern sports to play entire career as a Laker

Kobe‘s sustained excellence over 20 years both in the box score and in iconic moments made him a lock to join the other Lakers immortals with his number in the rafters.

Lakers Franchise Retired Numbers

The Los Angeles Lakers have now retired 11 total jersey numbers in franchise history. This select group represents the very best players ever to wear the purple and gold.

Here is the full list along with Kobe Bryant:

Player	Number	Seasons as a Laker	Year Retired
Kobe Bryant	8 and 24	1996-2016	2017
Wilt Chamberlain	13	1968–1973	1984
Elgin Baylor	22	1958–1971	1983
Gail Goodrich	25	1965–1968, 1970–1976	1996
Magic Johnson	32	1979–1991, 1996	1992
Shaquille O‘Neal	34	1996–2004	2013
Jerry West	44	1960–1974	1983
Jamaal Wilkes	52	1977–1985	2012
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	33	1975–1989	1990
James Worthy	42	1982–1994	1995
Chick Hearn	–	1961–2002	2002

This pantheon represents the 12 most iconic players in team history. From legendary big men Wilt and Kareem, to revolutionary point guards like Magic, to ultimate clutch scorers like West and Goodrich.

Getting your jersey retired as a Laker means you are considered an immortal icon for one of sports‘ most storied franchises. It is a fraternity of legends who defined eras with their incredible play and championships.

A Closer Look at James Worthy‘s Lakers Career

Before Kobe Bryant, the most famous Laker to wear number 24 was "Big Game James" Worthy. He was a key part of their Showtime 1980s teams.

Drafted 1st overall in 1982 after winning an NCAA title with North Carolina, Worthy became a star playing alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Some key notes:

• Averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists for his career

• Shot 54.4% from the field, demonstrating great efficiency

• Played in 926 regular season games, averaging 33.6 minutes

• Named NBA Finals MVP in 1988 after dominating with 22/7/4 averages vs Pistons

• Key transition finisher in the Showtime fast break with his trademark "Statue of Liberty" dunks

Worthy played his entire 12 year career with the Lakers, winning 3 NBA titles in 1985, 1987 and 1988. He was renowned for raising his game in clutch moments, fully earning his "Big Game James" nickname.

The Lakers retired Worthy‘s number 42 jersey in 1995 as a testament to his stellar play during their 80‘s dynasty. He fully deserves his place among the Lakers legends.

Why Retiring Kobe‘s Number Was So Significant

While he wasn‘t the first Laker to wear 24, Kobe Bryant‘s jersey retirement held special significance for a few key reasons:

1. recognizing his evolution as a player – By retiring both 8 and 24, it honored Kobe‘s growth through his career with two distinct eras. 24 was his "second phase" number.

2. commemorate 5 titles – Kobe helped hang 5 championship banners, on par with the team‘s legends. Retiring his number immortalized his role in Lakers lore.

3. game‘s most iconic star post-Jordan – Bryant was the face of the league after Jordan‘s era, and on par with being a pop culture icon.

4. 20 years with the same team – Extremely rare loyalty to play for just one franchise, adding to his legacy.

5. tragic passing – Retiring his number after his untimely death recognized how much Kobe meant to the Laker family.

Ultimately, Kobe Bryant helped the Lakers dominate the 2000s after past legends led them through the 80s and 90s. His jersey retirement was the final stamp on his eternal Laker legacy.

The Emotion and Pageantry of Jersey Retirement Ceremonies

Having attended Kobe‘s jersey retirement ceremony live at Staples Center, I can attest to the powerful emotions and pageantry that come with such an event.

The anticipation in the building was palpable leading up to the raising of his two jerseys to the rafters. Every Lakers legend in attendance understood the significance of what they were witnessing.

Laker fans showed an outpouring of love during the hour long ceremony. There were tears both happy and sad, thinking of Kobe‘s incredible career and devastating untimely death.

The final ascension of the jerseys and standing ovation left no doubt about Kobe‘s immortal place among the greatest Lakers icons. It was a larger than life celebration befitting a player who meant so much to the franchise and city.

Jersey retirements represent the pinnacle of a player‘s career achievements. Athletes work their entire lives towards earning that ultimate honor and respect. The ceremonies allow fans to reminisce and idolize their heroes one more time.

Bryant‘s Lasting Impact on Basketball and Culture

It‘s been over 5 years since Kobe Bryant‘s jersey was retired by the Lakers after his legendary 20 year NBA career. In that time, his cultural legacy and impact have only continued to grow.

Some examples of Kobe‘s lasting influence:

• Mamba Mentality – His philosophy on tireless work ethic and competitiveness lives on as a maxim adopted by athletes and in business

• Kobe Bryant Trophy – The NBA All-Star Game MVP award was permanently renamed in Kobe‘s honor in 2020

• Jersey sales – Kobe jerseys remain top sellers years after retirement, a testament to his enduring popularity

• Inspiring younger generations – Players today like Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker grew up idolizing Kobe and his mindset

• Cultural icon – Kobe became bigger than just basketball, as shown by his Oscar-winning animated short film

• Tragic passing – Kobe‘s shocking death in 2020 brought emotional tributes from across the world

So while his number 24 Lakers jersey hangs retired, Kobe Bryant‘s "Mamba Mentality" and cultural impact live on. His influence spans across sports, business and culture. Truly one of a kind.

Conclusion

In closing, I hope I‘ve given you a comprehensive perspective on the history and significance behind Kobe Bryant‘s iconic number 24 jersey being retired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was the fitting culmination to an unmatched 20-year Laker career. Raising both number 8 and 24 to the rafters immortalized Kobe‘s evolution and championship impact on the franchise.

The Lakers have a long tradition of retiring jerseys for their most legendary players. Getting your number retired as a Laker cements your place in an exclusive fraternity of icons and champions.

And while a few greats like James Worthy also wore it, number 24 is now eponymous with Kobe Bryant. No Laker will ever don it again.

Mamba out.