Kobe Bryant's fans might have to buy another jersey next season. That's because multiple sources have told ESPN.com that Bryant will change his number to 24 next season.
MYSTERY MAN |
Why's Kobe switching jersey numbers? Your guess is as good as ours. That's why we're asking you: What are your theories behind Kobe wanting to change his number? Send your ideas here. |
Bryant began his career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., wearing No. 24. But by 1996 -- the year he led the school to the state championship -- he had switched to No. 33, the number his father Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant wore in high school.
In order for a player to change jersey numbers at will, he either has to change teams or have the team inform the league of the decision more than six months in advance. Players who stay with the same team must have worn the same number for four seasons or longer. Sources say the Lakers informed the league of Bryant's wish to change his number by this year's March 3 deadline.
Calls placed to Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka and the Lakers were not immediately returned.
Over the past few months, Kobe Bryant's popularity has been on the rise again. His jersey was the fourth-best seller this season, up one spot from last year's position, according to sales at the NBA Store in Manhattan and on NBA.com.
When Bryant came into the league, he couldn't take the No. 33 because it had been retired seven years earlier by the Lakers in honor of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bryant arrived at the No. 8 for two reasons. It was the number he wore when he was a kid playing in Italy. It also tied into the number he wore at Adidas' ABCD Camp, 143. The numbers add up to 8.
Bryant's switch is the NBA's most significant jersey number change since the 1994-95 season, when Michael Jordan came out of retirement wearing the No. 45 for the final 22 games of the season. Jordan's No. 23 had been retired by the Bulls in his honor. For the next three seasons, Jordan went back to the No. 23.
League veteran Jim Jackson, who signed with the Lakers in March, now wears No. 24.
Six NBA teams have retired the number: the Boston Celtics (Sam Jones), Golden State Warriors (Rick Barry), Houston Rockets (Moses Malone), New York Knicks (Bill Bradley), Philadelphia 76ers (Bobby Jones) and Phoenix Suns (Tom Chambers).
Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at Darren.Rovell@espn3.com. |
첫댓글 바꿀거라는 얘기는 오래 전부터 있어왔습니다. 더불어 아마레 스타더마이어도 1번으로 변경했습니다.
디온 톰슨은 방출인가요?
Dijon Thompson은 Suns와의 계약이 만료되었고 Portlnad와 워크아웃을 가진 것으로 알고 있습니다. 계약여부는 아직 모르겠습니다.
등번호 바꾼다고 실력이 더 업그레이드 되는것도 아니고.. 24번 좋은 번호는 아니네.. 8번이 좋은데 8의 신화를 만들어라 코비..
조던23 다음은 나다 24?
제발요..
여기있어요
8번의 신화는 워커가...
뭐 바꾸고 싶으면 바꿀 수도 있는 거죠. 그걸가지고 왈가왈부 할 필요는 없지요. 뭐 레이커스가 저지를 더 팔아먹으려고 코비를 꼬신 것만 아니라면야 ;;;;;
8 & 34 콤비 - 워커 & 피어스, 코비 & 샤크
81
컥... 내 8번 레이커스 노랭이는 어찌하라구-_ㅠ
msn아이디 엘에이레이커스코비08인데 바꿔야겠네 ㅡㅡ