Julius Erving: Kobe Bryant’s numbers shouldn’t be retired NBA-wide

“I don’t think he should be compared with the Russell situation,” Erving said of Kobe out at LAX. “We’re fresh into that but let’s see how that works out. Maybe at some point in time. Bill was 86 years old, so address it like that to an 86-year-old — multiple champions, multiple coaching champions, multiple on-and-off the court champion, or whatever — there’s no comparison.” “I wouldn’t even try to compare Kobe Bryant to Russell.” -via TMZ.com / August 28, 2022

“It’s more of a franchise situation with the Lakers,” Erving said. “If they wanted to do it, which I think they already have, that makes sense — but for the whole league to do it, probably not.” Erving added that he was grateful for Silver’s decision to retire Russell’s number, saying, “Bill was a very special individual and what he did for basketball, no one else could ever do again.” -via TMZ.com / August 28, 2022

The $16 million verdict that Vanessa Bryant was awarded by a federal jury on Wednesday is set to be reduced to $15 million after a juror discovered an error on the verdict form and informed the court about it. Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, prevailed in her civil trial against Los Angeles County Wednesday after the jury of nine unanimously found the county liable for damages to her and her fellow plaintiff Chris Chester, who was awarded $15 million by the same jury. -via USA Today Sports / August 27, 2022