Los Angeles Lakers

Even numbers are torn on which of Kobe's jersey numbers to retire

Published Dec. 4, 2015 4:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

The great debate over which one of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers -- No. 8 or No. 24 -- the Los Angeles Lakers should retire rages on.

Over at NBA.com, Kevin Cottrell Jr. examined Bryant's numbers and accolades while wearing each of the numbers, and found that differentiating between the two was merely splitting years.

Whether it's years played with the number, points, All-Star appearances or championships, the difference is negligible -- Bryant's jersey change clearly divides his career into two eras, and there are strong cases to be made for both.

Here is the heart of what makes it so difficult to decide, according to Cottrell:

Ultimately, though, Cottrell believes Bryant's 20-year relationship with the Lakers -- the longest any NBA player has ever played for one team -- means Bryant should have both numbers retired:

At this point, it comes down to personal preference. Do you prefer the younger, hungrier and more stubborn Kobe with a baby fro? Or do you prefer the Black Mamba -- older, calmer and more refined yet just as dangerous? Or do you think this is just an impossible task, and the Lakers should retire both?

If you were to look at the stats amassed by No. 8 and No. 24 without a name attached to them, those would be the accomplishments of a future Hall of Famer. But those stats are, of course, all Bryant's. In fact, there are 28 ex-NBA players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame who have scored less than 17,000 career including Lakers legend James Worthy (16,320 points) and Celtics great Bill Russell (14,522 points).

According to Elias Sports, Kobe is the only player to score 40 or more points in a single game against the NBA's 29 other teams. In the No. 8 uniform, Bryant dropped 40 or more points 67 times, something he did 54 times in the No. 24 jersey. Remember Bryant's 81-point game in 2006 -- perhaps the most memorable accomplishment of his career? That happened in the No. 8 jersey.

However, if you consider his growth and independence -- as well as his two NBA titles and lone Kia MVP -- then score two points for the No. 24 jersey.

While the Lakers front-office continues to deliberate over his eventual retirement ceremony (and Bryant himself has said he votes for No. 24) we say they should retire both numbers.

Not only has Kobe played the most seasons in a Lakers uniform, but no player in NBA history has played more seasons with one team than Bryant. Scoring has always been a key measuring tool in the NBA and his status as the third all-time leading scorer (first among guards) bolsters the argument. His career in both jerseys are Hall of Fame-worthy and if only one of his jerseys is retired, no one should be allowed to wear the other one.

Furthermore, Kobe's career cannot be told through the stitching of one of the two jersey numbers.

"I honestly believe the Lakers should retire both numbers," Brian Shaw said, who played four seasons with Bryant and was a Lakers assistant coach from 2005-11. "It would be a unique gesture to show their gratitude to him."