Dallas Mavericks to retire number 24 to honor Kobe Bryant

The Dallas Mavericks are retiring number 24 to honor Kobe Bryant after his tragic death on Jan. 26. Read more about it here.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced the team is retiring number 24 to honor Kobe Bryant. The legend never played for the Mavs, but he made a massive impact on the NBA and game of basketball.

Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. His 13-year-old daughter and seven other people were also killed.

Kobe had a profound impact on the game of basketball. He was so much more than an MVP, All-Star, and NBA championship. Bryant’s competitiveness and fire were legendary. He created the “Mamba Mentality”. He retired in 2016 after 20 seasons all with the Lakers.

Kobe was more than basketball too. He was successful away from the court. Bryant won an Oscar in 2018. The 41-year-old had numerous successful business ventures as well.

Kobe was always willing to help too. Numerous players attended workouts with him in the offseason to improve their game.

Mavs and Kobe

Mavericks fans likely remember his encounter with Luka Doncic during and after the game in Los Angeles on Dec. 29. Kobe trash-talked to Luka in Slovenian mid-game. The Mavericks star posed for pictures with Kobe and his daughter after the contest ended.

Doncic sent out a handful of tweets on Sunday as he shared his grief.

Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant will go down as two of the all-time greats. Both are in the top-six in all-time scoring. Mavs fans likely remember their only playoff meeting. Dallas swept the Lakers in the second round in 2011. Bryant had led Los Angeles to the championship in the two previous seasons. The Mavericks went on to win the title in 2011 over the Miami Heat featuring LeBron James.

Dirk sent out the following tweet about Kobe on Sunday evening.

Cuban shared an important message on Sunday in the aftermath of the Bryant news breaking.

Kobe made a global impact. It is sad to see him go so soon. The Dallas Mavericks gave him a deserving honor by retiring his number 24. The impact of Bryant’s passing will continue to be felt across the NBA.

Feel free to share your favorite Kobe Bryant story on our Twitter @thesmokingcuban. It is a sad day for basketball, but together we will get through this. Thoughts and well wishes go out to all the family members of those involved and everyone who is feeling the loss.