Back to the NBA Newsfeed

Kobe Bryant's two legendary NBA careers

Kobe Bryant played 20 years in his NBA career, 10 wearing No. 8 and another 10 wearing No. 24. When it came time to retire his number, the Lakers hung both from the Staples Center rafters, and it's easy to see why. When you separate the two, it's as if he had two legendary careers in one.

Bryant put on a show in the Slam Dunk Contest in 1997, even if the rookie wasn't wearing his iconic No. 8 for much of it.

Bryant came into the NBA wearing No.