The Los Angeles Lakers retired Michael Cooper’s No. 21 jersey on an emotional night, celebrating a player who dedicated his entire career to the franchise as a defense-oriented guard. Cooper was known for his unwavering support of his Showtime teammates, consistently elevating their performances.
As the Lakers raised Cooper’s number to the rafters, he finally enjoyed a moment in the spotlight that he had long awaited.
During a halftime ceremony at their game against the San Antonio Spurs, the 17-time NBA champion Lakers honored Cooper by unveiling his No. 21 jersey on the wall of honor, positioned between legends Magic Johnson’s No. 32 and James Worthy’s No. 42.
This placement is fitting for Cooper, who was the hardworking glue of the dazzling teams that captured five championships in the 1980s.
Michael Cooper’s No. 21 jersey now hangs between Magic Johnson’s No. 32 and James Worthy’s No. 42. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Cooper remains a beloved figure in Los Angeles, as evidenced by the enthusiastic standing ovations and chants of “Coooooooooop” that filled the arena. To commemorate the occasion, the Lakers distributed replica Cooper jerseys to all fans attending their first game since devastating wildfires affected the region.
This jersey retirement took place during a particularly emotional evening for the Lakers and their supporters, following the postponement of two previous games due to catastrophic wildfires. Cooper, a Pasadena native who also lived in nearby Altadena, felt the impact of the fires that originated in Eaton Canyon.
“It’s kind of a happy-sad moment for me,” Cooper expressed. “A lot of the landmarks, a couple of the middle schools I went to, those are all gone now. Tonight I’m going to enjoy it, but with a heavy heart because so many people lost so many things.”
Enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last October, Cooper’s jersey retirement marks a significant milestone, as the Lakers only retire the numbers of Hall of Famers. The franchise quickly recognized Cooper’s contributions, placing him among basketball’s most celebrated players.
Although Cooper was never selected as an All-Star, he embodied the role of a 1980s 3-and-D specialist, a position that has become essential in modern NBA play. He earned five selections to the All-Defensive first team and was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
“I always tried to play the game the right way,” Cooper stated. “It’s such a good feeling that people recognize that. Although I’ve always been on a team with a lot of megastars, sometimes I got overshadowed. But that didn’t bother me, because it was always about the body of work that we were putting together, and winning championships.”
After his playing career, Cooper transitioned into coaching, achieving notable success by leading the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championships.
During the halftime ceremony, Cooper was joined on the court by former Lakers coach Pat Riley and several teammates, including Johnson, Worthy, Byron Scott, Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, Kurt Rambis, and Vlade Divac.
Johnson took the microphone to honor Cooper, calling him “one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.”
