Should Kobe's #24 be retired league wide?

[feckless]

Kobe wasn't convicted because he settled the case with her and she agreed not to testify.  The big part of the settlement was Kobe's public apology which said in part “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual ... I now understand how she sincerely feels that she did not consent.”  That is about as much an admission as you will ever get in this type of case.  He eventually paid her off to settle the civil trial as well.  And let's be clear, the facts of the "rape" as alleged by the accuser are pretty difficult to read and do no put Kobe in a good light at all.  He was allegedly very rough with her.

This has been on my mind and in discussion with my adult daughter.  What you wrote makes sense to me.  Very thoughtful and well said.

[PhoSita]

No.  I don't like the proliferation of jersey retirements.

I like the idea of a retired jersey being franchise specific based on what a player did while wearing that uniform.

[goz421]

One thing I learned as a player is that being a great player or coach does not always equate with being a great human being. I do not know why in this country so reveres those thing we see in media daily. I respected Kobe as a great player. Saw him single handed dismantle the C's. As a person I can't say I saw this same great individual. Retiring his number when others before a s great haven't is a knee jerk reaction. He deserves the hall of fame and credit like those before. Not because of his death but because of his feets on the court.

[indeedproceed]

Nobody's number should be retired league-wide. Not Jordan's, nobody's.

[Redz]

Perhaps a side topic, but it kind of seems like number retirements in general have kind of jumped the shark.

As has the saying "jumped the shark".

Returning players video tributes too for that matter.

I might just be getting old and cranky though.

[nickagneta]

Perhaps a side topic, but it kind of seems like number retirements in general have kind of jumped the shark.

As has the saying "jumped the shark".

Returning players video tributes too for that matter.

I might just be getting old and cranky though.

I agree, but I, likewise, am just an old cranky fart.

[Jvalin]

...Rape is among the most despicable crimes. If you ask me, it's even worse than murder...

I am not trying to take your post out of context as you had some interesting things to say, but I do need to strongly disagree with your above statement. Ending someone's life on purpose is a million % worse than having sex with somebody against their will. Maybe you are religious or something and believe there is more after this life, but I am not, and once your life is over, you can't get it back. Murder (or death, obviously) is the end.

What is worse? Dying or living the rest of your life in misery and guilt? There are numerous examples of rape victims who never managed to recover form the sexual trauma and ended up committing suicide. If you ask me, only crimes that are worse than rape are pedophilia and child abuse.

Let me put it another way. Under extreme and dramatic circumstances, it's possible that even the most compassionate person might become a murderer. Under no circumstances whatsoever is it possible for such a person to become a rapist.

I'm not religious at all. Not in the slightest. Couldn't care less for any religion. I'm an agnostic bordering on atheism.

[SHAQATTACK]

not league wide , thats a bit much ....Celtics can't afford to loose anymore numbers .

Lakers should of course , if they haven't already .

Always really liked Kobe.  even if he was on Lakers .  He had the intensity to be a Celtic.

[Scottiej23]

I really don't think the league-wide retirement of the number is appropriate. I mean I have a clip of Kobe saying he hated coming to, and playing, in Boston. We certainly don't owe him anything. Plus I could see this becoming awkward once the emotion of the event has subsided.

How about instead they make an exception and he could immediately be admitted to the Basketball Hall of Fame? Perfect time for a memorial/induction in the moment. He gets a special consideration worthy of his status and accomplishment as a player and it's a good way of some immediate in the moment......I seldom toot my own horn but I think this is a great idea.

[Monkhouse]

Why?

[keevsnick]

I wouldn't push for it, but I wouldn't be too upset if it happened either.

Honestly I think the idea of changing the NBA logo from Jerry West to Kobe is better.

[BitterJim]

not league wide , thats a bit much ....Celtics can't afford to loose anymore numbers .

Lakers should of course , if they haven't already .

Always really liked Kobe.  even if he was on Lakers .  He had the intensity to be a Celtic.

Don't worry, we already have it retired (for Sam Jones)

[BitterJim]

Nobody's number should be retired league-wide. Not Jordan's, nobody's.

Agreed. I wouldn't like the precedent it would set, either

[nickagneta]

If the NBA is doing a new logo, I know they can't use this one:


 
But maybe they make this into a logo:



Or this:

[Celtic Fan Forever]

I think retiring 8 and 24 for every franchise would be a massive overreaction. (We also already have 24 retired). But something should definitely be done league wide, perhaps a Jersey patch for every team.