A dreamlike moment unfolded deep in the heart of Indiana, where the lights, energy, and gravity of the night all seemed to blur into a surreal encounter with a legend: Kobe Bryant. But before Paul George ever clashed with No. 24, one former Laker had unknowingly delayed that iconic number’s ascent to immortality. In a twist of fate, that same Laker would later see behind the mask of the Mamba, but not as a teammate in purple and gold, but as a rival in an unexpected jersey.
Few players leave behind echoes the way Kobe Bryant did. His farewell tour during the 2015–16 season wasn’t just a victory lap, but a cross-country tribute to a singular career. While most players get a standing ovation in their home arena once they retire, Kobe got one in every NBA city while still dropping 20+ on you. But not everyone who admired him got the chance to really know him. Or, in one case, even share the number he had his heart set on.
On a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, former NBA journeyman and Laker for a moment, Jim Jackson, opened up about his unexpected, and completely accidental role in delaying Kobe’s jersey transformation. Jackson, who signed with the Lakers late in the 2005–06 season, wore No. 24 a number Kobe Bryant had already set his sights on for his post-Shaq era refresh. But the league’s rules got in the way.
“He wanted to change it that year to 24, but he waited too late,” Jackson said. “You got to submit the jersey early, and it was too late. So he had to wait a year. And that’s how I had it.” That’s right. Jim Jackson was technically the last Laker to wear the LA Lakers No. 24 before it became synonymous with Kobe Bryant. Talk about a historic footnote. But while the number swap had to wait, Jackson’s personal time with Bryant didn’t.
Despite not being tight during their early years, the two bonded during that short Laker stint in ways few could. “We never hung out before. We knew each other, we competed, had mad respect. But we started to hang out a little bit when I was on the team,” Jackson recalled. “He liked steaks before games, so I took him to a couple of spots.” But even that surprised Kobe’s own security.
“One of them came up to me and said, ‘You know Kobe don’t do this,’” Jackson laughed. “I said, ‘What do you mean? I go out with my teammates all the time.’ He said, ‘Kobe don’t.’” That rare time spent behind the curtain stuck with Jackson more than any stat line or highlight reel. “To sit during that short period of time and get behind not number 24, not number 8 Kobe — to me, that’s as valuable as anything.” If Jim Jackson got to see the off-court, Kobe, and Paul George got the fire-breathing final act on the hardwood.
Paul George shares a memory of him with Kobe in his final year
It was 2016. Kobe’s farewell season. He was older, hurting, and managing minutes. The Lakers were on their way out of playoff contention. Still, for players across the league, each game against Kobe was a precious goodbye. Paul George was watching closely. “Kobe missed this game… missed that one… get to Indiana — Kobe playing tonight,” PG recounted on his podcast. “It was a blackout moment. Like damn, I get Kobe tonight. And this is my last opportunity.” The game?
A battle between an aging king and an ascendant star. Kobe was off most of the night, by his own standard. But then, in true Mamba fashion, he flipped the switch. “It was the last 3–4 minutes, and I kid you not, he did not miss a shot,” George said. “Deep threes, contested threes, coming off pin-downs. It was a moment.” Even as PG and the Indiana Pacers held on for the win, and the youthful star got his last dub against the legend, the night belonged to Kobe.
“It was one-on-one. I for sure as hell wanted to beat Kobe,” George admitted. “And we was able to win.” But here is the kicker, the Pacers fans booed. As center Myles Turner shared on the Tidal League Podcast, the home crowd was so invested in Kobe’s farewell they booed their own team after the W. “Even our fans,” Turner laughed. “Everyone wanted the Lakers to win.” But deeper than the win, it was the moment, the presence that stuck.
The feeling of being on the same court, facing off against greatness one final time. A player like PG, who modeled so much of his game after Kobe, saw the legend in full form for the final few minutes. A glimpse of vintage Mamba, no fade, no mercy. Whether it was almost wearing the number he cherished or locking horns with him in his final sprint, both Jackson and George walked away with something more valuable than stats, perspective.
Feb 8, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) defended by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. (Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
Kobe Bryant was “maniacal”, as Jackson put it. A competitor to the core. And yet, behind that fire was a thoughtful, philosophical figure. One who dined with teammates talked through life’s battles. So while Paul George may have caught the W on the court, and Jackson held onto that #24 for just a second longer, the real victory was knowing the Mamba on a level few ever did.
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