NBA: For many players, jerseys are much more than a numbers game

The death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash that killed all nine people on board, including his daughter Gianna, spurred an outpouring of grief from NBA players, many of whom looked to Bryant as an inspiration.

Bryant was a superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years, wearing the jersey No. 8 for 10 seasons, and No. 24 for the other 10 years. The league announced Friday that this year’s All Star game jerseys would have tributes to Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the other victims of the crash. Team LeBron, led by LeBron James, will wear the No. 2 — Gianna’s jersey number — and Team Giannis, captained by Giannis Antetokounmpo, will wear 24.

Throughout Bryant’s career, many younger players have chosen to wear his numbers as a tribute, and some are now choosing to switch to others in his honor. Some have pledged to play according to Bryant’s high standards while continuing to wear his numbers, and still more have said that one or both of his numbers should be retired leaguewide. The Dallas Mavericks, for example, have said no one will wear No. 24 on their team ever again. The NBA must approve all requests for a player to change his number.

Here is a look at how some players have responded to Bryant’s death, and the debate over changing or keeping No. 8 and No. 24.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets guard

Changed number to 26 from 8

Dinwiddie told Nets Daily: “It’s an obvious choice. I kept coming to that number, but here’s why: They passed on the 26th. Twenty-four and 2 are their numbers; two plus six is eight. I’m 26 currently. Me and my son were both born in April. He’s the 20th, I’m the 6th. And that’s what was on my mind when I decided on the jersey change. Incorporating my son. Because last time it revolved around family as well.”

Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics guard

No decision yet on changing number from 8

“I’m considering it but I’m not sure yet,” Walker said. “I definitely have tons of respect for Kobe. But, you know, everybody mourns a little bit different. For me, I’m thinking I would love to honor him by wearing that number. Kobe played hard each and every night and I would like to honor him by doing the same.”

Markieff Morris, Detroit Pistons forward

Changing number to 88 from 8

“I grew up idolizing Kobe and that 8, that 24 and that 33 touched me,” Morris said, according to ESPN, also referring to the No. 33 worn by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “I’m going to go with double 8s. All respect to Kobe. I’m going to put it on my jersey twice.”

Bogdan Bogdanović, Sacramento Kings forward

Keeping his number 8

“I see a lot of guys changing their numbers and I respect that, too,” Bogdanovic said following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, according to the Sacramento Bee. “I talked to Buddy. He likes his number and I like mine, so we will keep it in his honor. I think that’s also another way to show respect.”

Quinn Cook, Los Angeles Lakers guard

Changing number to 28 from 2

“No. 2 is Gianna’s number. I feel it should be retired. It’s hers,” Cook told The Athletic.

Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings guard

Will not change number 24

“I wanted to be like him. I wanted to walk like him. Run like him. I put my shooting sleeve on like him. So I feel like it would be great to honor him by still wearing his number,” Hield told NBC Sports Sacramento.

Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls guard

Will not change number 8

“I just didn’t have any plan on changing it. Kobe was one of the main reasons I wear No. 8,” LaVine said, according to NBC Sports. “I’m going to continue to wear No. 8 because of that, too.”

Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs guard

Will not change number 8

“I think if I was to honor him with a number, it would be to represent the number,” Mills said, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls forward

Will not change number 24

“You can’t really go wrong with either decision,” Markkanen said, according to NBC Sports Chicago. “I didn’t feel any pressure. It’s our decision. I feel like you can honor him either way, by retiring it or still keep his number alive. That’s just the route I took. Hopefully, everybody can respect everybody’s opinion.”

Mason Plumlee, Denver Nuggets center

Changing number to 7 from 24

“The passion he played and prepared with and his dedication, determination and unrelenting work ethic set the standard,” Plumlee told The Denver Post. “You can’t overstate the impact he had on our sport and the NBA family. Kobe stands alone in the history of our game. His jersey and all that it symbolizes should as well.”

Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors guard

Not changing from number 24 as of yet

“The reason I wear 24 is because of Kobe. So whatever it takes to honor him, one of the greatest ever to do it. If they want to retire 24 I’ll find a new number,” Powell told The Athletic.