Michael Cooper, some of the necessary however underrated members of the Los Angeles Lakersdynastic groups of the Eighties, was just lately inducted within the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame greater than 30 years after his retirement from the NBA. It was an unbelievable second for him, and it was one thing he had been ready for for an extremely very long time.
Monday, the Lakers retired his No. 21 jersey on the wall of Crypto.com Enviornment throughout halftime of a recreation in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs. It was seemingly the most recent affirmation of his worth to Showtime groups that received 5 NBA championships.
Though Cooper significantly appreciated being inducted into the Corridor of Fame, he mentioned his jersey retirement ceremony was extra particular to him than the Corridor of Fame ceremony.
Michael Cooper on the evening the Lakers retire his No. 21 jersey: “It’s so upsetting for me, as a result of I didn’t count on that. I’ve all the time performed for the love of the sport. And profitable championships. Tonight is, for me, extra particular than the Corridor of Fame.
–Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 14, 2025
There may be definitely one thing particular about an athlete having their quantity retired by the group they performed for, particularly a group just like the Lakers who solely retire the variety of gamers who enter the Corridor of Fame. fame.
Cooper, who grew up in close by Pasadena, did not appear headed for greatness as a toddler. He was very skinny, and an incident when he was a toddler left him with quite a few stitches in his knee to cowl an open wound and led docs to foretell that he would by no means stroll once more.
However because of his tenacity and can, he performed in highschool and faculty, and though he was solely a third-round draft choose by the Lakers in 1978, he grew to become their voracious Rottweiler. Showtime groups. He made 5 first-team All-Defensive groups and was named Defensive Participant of the Yr in 1987, however he was additionally a wonderful 3-point shooter and a Swiss Military knife who may play level guard substitute if crucial.
This text was initially revealed on LeBron Wire: Cooper: Jersey ceremony extra particular to him than Corridor of Fame entry
