Los Angeles Lakers retired the number 21 jersey of Michael Cooper, one of the members of the legendary Showtime Lakers led by Pat Riley, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy.
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The emotional ceremony, in which Cooper’s No. 21 jersey was flanked by Magic’s No. 32 and Worthy’s No. 42, took place at halftime of the game that Wembanyama’s Spurs won against LeBron James’ Lakers.
This is very overwhelming for me, because I never expected it. I always played for the love of the game, the team and to win championships
“This is very overwhelming for me, because I never expected it. I always played for the love of the game, the team and to win championships. This night is, for me, more special than the Hall of Fame, but both are equally important,” said the 68-year-old former player, who won five NBA championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Once again, the cry of “Coooooooooop” rang out in Los Angeles.
Magic Johnson: “Michael Cooper is one of the greatest players to ever play basketball”
The Lakers gave away a replica of Cooper’s jersey to all fans and former teammates such as Magic Johnson, Worthy, Byron Scott, Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, Kurt Rambis and Vlade Divac did not want to miss the ceremony.
“Michael Cooper is one of the greatest players to ever play basketball,” Magic declared.
Michael Cooper, the star who was never an All-Star: “Sometimes I was overshadowed”
Michael Cooper, who in his long career never managed to be an All-Star, was selected five times to the All-Defensive First Team and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
“I always tried to play the game the right way. It’s a good feeling that people recognise that. Although I’ve always been on a team with a lot of megastars, sometimes I was overshadowed. But that didn’t bother me, because it was always about the work we were doing and winning championships,” said Cooper, who in his coaching career led Las Angeles Sparks to win the WNBA.
Michael Cooper’s career with the Lakers: titles and statistics
Michael Copper, the great steal of the 1978 Draft, played between 1978 and 1990 for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championship rings in purple and gold.
The 1.96m shooting guard, who weighed 77kg when he was active, represented the dedication, passion and defense of the Lakers who, led by Magic Johnson, captivated the world in the 1980s.
In his 12 NBA seasons, all with the Lakers, Cooper averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
