Kobe endorses LeBron’s anti-No. 23 mandate

November 20th, 2009, 10:02 am · 8 Comments · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

Kobe Bryant called LeBron James’ suggestion that the NBA retire all No. 23 jerseys in honor of Michael Jordan “a great idea.”

Bryant was aware of Jordan’s comments on the topic on Ahmad Rashad’s “All-Access With Ahmad” show. Jordan said: “Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, all those guys should have their jerseys retired, too. I understand his gesture, but I am in the same group as those guys, so I wouldn’t want to see my jersey retired unless you retire those guys. It is a compliment. I totally understand that. I appreciate LeBron for doing that and it is very thoughtful.”

Yet Bryant, while acknowledging all others who came before Jordan, still said of No. 23: “He’s different than any other player who has played the game.”

Bryant, meanwhile, is trying to make the most of himself now by learning from Jordan coming before him. That’s why Bryant went to pick Jordan’s brain back in 2005 in advance of Bryant’s move to the wing position in the triangle offense.

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Pinky says:

November 20, 2009 at 10:06 am

On top of retiring all those numbers, no one should be allowed to wear number 24, except for Kobe.

J-Dizzle says:

November 20, 2009 at 10:59 am

LOL I like that one. Don’t forget #8 as well. I wonder what number he’s going to have retired though once he does retire.
- Earl Bloom, staff writer says:
  
  November 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm
  
  I am sure Rick Barry, Bill Bradley, Sam Jones, Bobby Jones, Spencer Haywood and Moses Malone would love the No. 24 retirement idea. That’s just the first few I could think of.

Poker says:

November 20, 2009 at 10:45 am

If Kobe can reach the level of his greatness.
Maybe couple of more “Rings” only one as a leader so far.

thechampishere says:

November 21, 2009 at 12:25 pm

ONLY!?!

Such a pedestrian comment. Before Kobe I never heard of any player being penalized because he technically wasn’t “the man.”

No one penalizes Magic who needed Kareem for all 5 of his titles. Who was the “leader” on that squad?

Kobe has 4 and that should be great enough regardless of how many NBA Final mvps he has to go along w/ it.
- J-Dizzle says:
  
  November 21, 2009 at 4:19 pm
  
  Jordan needed Pippen. Bill Russel had a big time Hall of Fame cast around him. In fact, aside from the 04 Detroit Pistons, just about every championship team had a superstar or 2 on it.
- banthum says:
  
  November 22, 2009 at 7:46 pm
  
  Yeah, but those guys were all LEADERS of those teams, Kobe wasn’t. Heck, if you are gonna put Kobe on those guys level, then why not Pippen.
  - J-Dizzle says:
    
    November 23, 2009 at 1:42 am
    
    Kobe lead this past championship. Despite all the glory Shaq got, it was Kobe who killed teams at the end of games during the Shaq years.

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