Joel Embiid took an extra step to honor Kobe Bryant during the Philadelphia 76ers’ game on Tuesday, but it came with a condition.
Jersey No. 24 is already retired by the 76ers to honor Bobby Jones, who played eight seasons for the team from 1978-1986.
Embiid called Jones and asked for permission to wear the number. Jones granted it, however, he had one condition.
Jones, who was nicknamed “The Secretary of Defense”, made the All-Defense team 11 times in his career. Kobe made it 12 times. Jones told Embiid that the big man had to play hard defense, because a lot of defense goes into No. 24.
