Both of Kobe Bryant's jerseys, number 8 and number 24, will officially be retired by the Los Angeles Lakers tonight during a special jersey retirement ceremony which will take place at halftime of the Lakers vs Warriors game.
Kobe wore the #8 for his first 10 seasons in the league, the #24 for the second half of his illustrious career, and if you took each stint as a separate career, they'd both be worthy of the Hall of Fame.
Naturally, the debate today is which Kobe Bryant do you prefer: 8 or 24? Statistically, Kobe's numbers are so similar that it's truly a toss up. You can't go wrong either way.
While donning the #8, Kobe averaged 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. In the 10 seasons wearing #24, the Black Mamba averaged 26.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals. He was a slightly more efficient shooter from the floor in the #8 (45.1 FG%) as opposed to the 44.3 FG% he averaged in the second half of his career.
Accolades Bryant achieved as #8 include: Three-time champion, eight-time All-Star, 1997 Dunk Contest champ, four-time All-NBA First Team, and four-time All-Defensive First Team. He also scored 81 points on the Toronto Raptors.
Accolades Bryant achieved as #24 include: Two-time champion, NBA MVP, 10-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA First Team, five-time All-Defensive First Team. Scored 60 points in the final game of his NBA career in front of a star-studded crowd at Staples Center.
Relive some of Kobe's most memorable highlights in each number in the video below, and cast your vote: 8 or 24?
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