Sources: Multiple NBA players have begun informally retiring Kobe Bryant’s jersey number(s) as a tribute — with Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie among them, changing from No. 8 to No. 26.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2020
Amazing. I’m still finding myself thinking randomly, “it can’t be real.” I’m having such a hard time wrapping my mind around what happened. I’m not sure why, but Kobe’s death has hit me harder than any celebrity death I’ve ever seen. Maybe because it was so sudden, maybe because Kobe was still so young with a lot more to give, or maybe because Gigi was there with him. Or a mixture of everything. I’m not sure there is exactly one correct answer, but it’s clear he made an impact on so many people from so many places.
I don’t know how I feel about changing the logo. I have no issue with doing it, but I’m not pushing for it. This, though, makes a lot of sense. No player should wear 8 or 24 ever again. Love him or hate him, the man changed basketball and was the greatest ambassador for the game that ever lived.
RIP Kobe and Gigi. I pray that you two are happily together looking down on all of us.