Lakers retire Kobe’s two jersey numbers

LOS ANGELES: Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant was hailed as the “greatest” Los Angeles Laker of all on Monday by fellow legend Magic Johnson in a ceremony to retire Bryant’s jersey numbers. The tribute came at half-time of the Lakers’ Staples Center matchup against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, with Bryant’s Numbers 8 and 24 joining other inspirational Laker icons from the team’s 70-year history. “We’re here to celebrate the greatest to ever wear the purple and gold. He made us rub our eyes and wonder what did we just see,” said Johnson, now Lakers president of basketball operations. “There will never, ever be another Kobe Bryant.” Bryant played 10 seasons in each retired number, winning three titles in the single-digit uniform top and two in the higher number jersey. — AFP