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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

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Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
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Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza right, guards Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant left, during the first half of NBA game action at the Toyota Center Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Pearland.
Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza right, guards Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant left, during the first half of NBA game action at the Toyota Center Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Pearland.
Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant right, reacts after shooting the ball as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza left, looks on during the second half of NBA game action at the Toyota Center Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Pearland. less
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant right, reacts after shooting the ball as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza left, looks on during the second half of NBA game action at the Toyota Center Sunday, April ... more
Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle
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Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, walks past head coach Mike D'Antoni in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. The Lakers won 95-90. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) less
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, walks past head coach Mike D'Antoni in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. The Lakers won 95-90. ... more
Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press

With the Lakers retiring Kobe Bryant's numbers on Monday, Rockets forward Trevor Ariza – Bryant's teammate with the Lakers for two seasons including the 2008-09 championship season – said Bryant's legacy was already set.

"He's done everything there is to do," Ariza said. "He's been a staple in this game forever. He's left his mark and it's always going to be there. Everybody is always going to know Kobe Bryant. His gift what he gave to the game is legend."

Asked what he remembered most from his time playing with Bryant, Ariza said, "Just how he approached the game, how he came to work every day to get better, whether it was watching film, on the court, staying focused on trying to be the best player he can be."

Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, a former Lakers coach, cited Bryant's "determination, his ability to have a killer instinct probably as much as I've ever seen.

"A great player," D'Antoni said. "It's natural that they're going to retire it and they should. He will be in the Hall of Fame pretty soon. One of the best that ever played."