On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers permanently immortalized Kobe Bryant’s No’s. 8 and 24. In doing so, he became the first player in NBA history to have more than one number retired by a single franchise.
It is perhaps appropriate that arguably the greatest Laker ever had his numbers hung to the left and right of Chick Hearn’s purple microphone because Chick is considered by many to have been the best at his craft.
Another facet of the night made it obvious as to how big of a deal it was. The Lakers’ opponent that night, the Golden State Warriors, stayed on the court at halftime to watch Kobe’s ceremony.