(“The TEN” is not a top ten but ten items worth being included in “The TEN”)
1.Kobe Bryant’s numbers 8 and 24 jersey will be retired in a halftime ceremony in tonight’s game at the Staples Center against Golden State.
2. After their beat down of the Seahawks, the LA Rams only need to win at Tennessee to lock up the NFC West.
3. Legendary MLB player Ty Cobb was born on this day in 1886.
4. Christian De Guzman leads the way with 19.4 points and 7.6 rebounds for the 5-4 Monrovia Wildcats.
5. Former New York Met and LA Dodger Darryl Strawberry pled guilty to tax evasion charges on this day in 1994.
6. The LA Kings have lost three straight and are now in a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with Las Vegas.
7. Alexis Lowden is averaging 20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for the 9-0 Glendora Lady Tartans.
8. On this day in 1961 Wilt Chamberlain for the Philadelphia Warriors drops 78 points on the Lakers.
9. Team owner and founder Jerry Richardson has stepped aside from the day-to-day management of the Carolina Panthers.
10. “I believe that good things come to those who work.” Wilt Chamberlain
The Lakers, bereft of any superstars, yet guilty of charging the highest prices in the league, are using this double jersey stunt to remind the over-charged masses of their long-ago dominance. At the same time, the organization is trying to massage their public image, as an outfit that really cares for their people, past and present. I’m sure Jerry West and Mitch Kupchak are buying that propaganda.
If winning two championships and a MVP justifies a jersey being retired than MJ should have two more numbers retired as with players like Bill Russell, Magic, Kareem, etc. The last 4 or 5 seasons of Kobe’s career were mediocre at best, not to mention he missed most of two seasons with injuries.
Not his fault but he also played in an era where the East didn’t have a single dominant team. Anyone growing up following the Lakers at least from the 80s would have a hard time choosing Kobe over Magic as the greatest Laker of all time.
Kareem, Magic, and Kobe are all close when it comes to championships, statistics, and memorable moments. Kareem is the greatest Laker for the fact that Magic cheated on his wife and contracted the AIDS virus and Kobe cheated on his wife and was arrested and charged with rape.
Kobe held the Lakers hostage that’s why they’ve been in last place the last three years. How long have the Lakers been a bad team? 7 years. I know the management was terrible, but Kobe didn’t help with $25,000,000 per year. Thanks for the losing season Kobe.
I just don’t think anyone who paid out millions to get out of a rape charge should ever be considered great and thought of as a HOFer, number retired, Nada.
Two numbers retired is just stupid. I respect Kobe’s career to the max, but two numbers is overkill, and although I don’t think it was his doing, it symbolizes greed and extreme egotism. Come on dude, you’re not God’s gift to the basketball universe. Pick the number you feel most pride for and leave it at that.
On another note, congratulations to Kobe for his accolades and ultimate competitiveness.
Two cents makes sense…Kobe’s inflated salary during his washed-up years should have been compensation enough. One number per legendary player please.
Thankfully you didn’t get to make that decision. Kobe deserves what ever the Lakers decided to give him. His resume speaks for itself and he will go down as 1 of the best to ever play. With 2 numbers hanging from the rafters to honor his greatness.
Very similar if not better numbers as #24, an mvp and 2 rings…
No question Kobe’s number should be retired but just not two numbers. He didn’t do enough when wearing #24 to have it retired. The Lakers should have just retired #8. I will take Magic, Kareem, and Wilt all day over Kobe in their primes.