Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant received the highest honor he could get from the only team he played for in his 20 years in the NBA on Monday.
At halftime of the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Lakers yesterday, the storied Purple and Gold franchise retired both numbers that Kobe sported during his illustrious NBA career.
Several basketball luminaries were on hand to witness live the highly anticipated event, including the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Shaquille O’Neal, and Allen Iverson to name a few. All of them were there to give praise to the iconic Bryant, who impacted the game and influenced an entire generation in a way few other NBA players had.
Outside of Staples Center, millions of others made sure that they’re going to be part of this momentous event by simply tweeting out their thanks and congratulations to the five-time MVP. Among them are NBA players whom Bryant had played against and inspired.
Here are some of them:
Been an inspiration to not just basketball players, but athletes from every sport..Only 1 Kobe.. #MambaMenality pic.twitter.com/5FQ0shuNCl
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) December 19, 2017
A pair of Cleveland Cavaliers who’ll likely see their own jersey numbers get retired in the future sent out congratulatory tweets for the Black Mamba.
It was an HONOR!!! 8vs24 #welldeserved #Greatness @kobebryant @ Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://t.co/r4Dq4OOa1C
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) December 18, 2017
Make that three Cavaliers star players.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc3y-4JAKFg/
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry did not play in Monday’s game because of an ankle injury, but he didn’t forget to give props to Bryant.
Wish I could be there tonight. Congrats @kobebryant. #Ko8e24 pic.twitter.com/a98uiRpP8k
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) December 19, 2017
Here’s a former Bryant on-court nemesis obviously feeling happy for Kobe:
Congrats!!! #Str8SerialKilla @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/m2LhIAGp9W
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) December 18, 2017
Some more:
You deserve this one and all the recognitions in the world. Thank you for bringing so much to the sport of basketball #brother!
Te mereces este y todos los reconocimientos del mundo. Gracias por todo lo que has aportado a este deporte #hermano! #Ko8e24 pic.twitter.com/bM3ySD83jX
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) December 18, 2017
This is tough, but I gotta go with #8. The hunger @kobebryant had to prove that a guard out of high school could eventually become one of the best ever is something that inspired me in all aspects of life. It inspired an entire generation. #8v24 @nikebasketball https://t.co/tILLZIerij
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) December 18, 2017
— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 18, 2017
Congrats Bean on a career that will be remembered for generations!! #Mamba #Ko8e24 pic.twitter.com/ZkVWNdDx6C
— Chris Paul (@CP3) December 19, 2017
Let’s end with this one with an Instagram post from Shaq:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2iPaBgw8J/?taken-by=shaq