Kobe Bryant’s monumental jersey number change from no.8 to no.24 was a direct dig at Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan, according to NBA legend Kevin Garnett.
The late Bryant is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history; a unique talent whose restless, fierce work ethic was driven by a will to win. Bryant was hell-bent on leaving his mark on the league and he certainly accomplished that across his 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant’s own legend grew in the shadow of comparisons to Jordan, with the duo’s success overlapping after the Lakers star arrived in the 1996 NBA Draft. Bryant was an immense fan of the six-time NBA champion, although he said: “I don't want to be the next Jordan, I just want to be Kobe Bryant.”