The legacy of Kobe Bryant keeps getting bigger despite his recent retirement.
The impact that the future Hall of Famer brought to the game of basketball, and also to the city of Los Angeles which he proudly represented through his 20 years with the Lakers, is something that not many athletes can put a claim in this modern era of professional sports.
During his illustrious career, Bryant wore two different numbers, each reflecting its own success. He wore the number eight from his rookie days up to the 2006-2007 season until he chose the number 24 from that point on.
20 years, two jersey numbers, 10 years each with a total of five NBA Championships, and a very long list of individual achievements and awards.
It remains a question which number the Lakers will retire and Bryant will carry on with him when entering the Hall of Fame in a few years. But the Los Angeles City Council has come up with the best answer so far : Both!
In honor of this amazing athlete and his contributions on and off court, LA Council members have came upon the decision to declare the 24th of August as the official “Kobe Bryant Day” including both of his legendary jersey numbers in the date, per Shahan Ahmed of NBC Los Angeles.
Besides his performance as a basketball phenom, this day is set to honor the human Kobe Bryant as well, and his numerous philanthropic contributions. Also, coincidence or not, Bryant was born on the 23th of August, making it a back-to-back celebration for one of the greatest shooting guards of all-time.
LA City Council member Jose Huizar made a statement concerning this decision of the council saying:
“Among his astonishing list of accomplishments, Kobe Bryant's 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers ranks him No. 1 all-time for NBA players who played for a single franchise, and ‘Kobe Bryant Day' is the City of Los Angeles' way of thanking him for his single-minded dedication to excellence, the fans and the entire City and region of Los Angeles. For 20 years, we were all the beneficiaries of Kobe's incredible talent and legendary work ethic, and on 8-24 we'll gather to say, ‘Thank you, Mamba.'
As something which can also be considered as a birthday gift, on Wednesday, Kobe Bryant is expected to be present at the Los Angeles City Hall to be officially honored by the Council.
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