There are certain numbers in basketball, that when one hears them, they automatically equate it with someone.  Jordan's 23, Chamberlin's 13, Robinson's 50, Thomas' 11, and Russell's 6 are just a few examples of players who in essence "defined" their number.  What is in a number?  Is it something inconsequential, or is it something that defines a legacy? 

According to Sports Illustrated, Kobe Bryant received permission from the league to change his number next year from 8 to 24.  Now some might not consider this a big deal, but in a way it kind of is.  Kobe is now in his 10th season with the Lakers.  He has worn the number 8 for each of those 10 years.  He has won three titles, made numerous all star appearances, and made his mark in Laker lore, all while wearing the number 8.  Before Bryant, the number had no real significance.  Now when one hears or sees it he is the only player that comes to mind.

If Kobe does indeed change his number next season he will still be the same player.  Changing his number isn't going to change his game.  However, when the Lakers go to retire Kobe's number which will go to the rafters?  The number 8 that saw the Lakers produce some of the most productive years the franchise has ever known, or the number 24 which may never again see a championship trophy raised.

Again, the number itself may not seem important to some.  I don't even like the Lakers, but I respect Kobe as a player and, in a way, seeing him wear any other number just wouldn't be right.  Just like when Jordan came out of retirement for the first time and wore 45 for a short period of time because the Bulls wouldn't let him wear his real number.  It was a disservice for Jordan to have to wear any other number besides 23.  Now though Kobe is not at the status of a Jordan, he is at around the same point in his career that Jordan came back the first time and had to wear 45, making it a legitimate comparison. 

Regardless of whether Kobe makes the change next season or not, the thought of it is just wrong.  He would be doing himself a favor to stay with the number that we all know him as.  The number that should be raised into the rafters when he retires.