The Lakers are retiring Michael Cooper's No. 21 jersey on an emotional night

Michael Cooper has spent his entire career with Los Angeles Lakers as a defensive guard who always focused on helping his Showtime teammates be stars.

When the Lakers raised Cooper’s No. 21 to the rafters on Monday night, Cooper enjoyed his long-awaited turn in the spotlight.

The 17-time NBA champion Lakers honored Cooper in a halftime ceremony during their game against the San Antonio Spursunveiling his No. 21 jersey on the Wall of Honor at their downtown arena between Magic Johnson’s no. 32 and James Worthy with number 42.

It’s a fitting position for Cooper, who served as a valuable glue on the glamorous, exciting teams that won five NBA championships in the 1980s.

“This is so overwhelming to me, because I didn’t expect this at all,” said the 68-year-old Cooper. “I have always played for the love of the game, the team and winning championships.” Tonight, to me, is more special than the Hall of Fame — but both are equally important.”

Michael Cooper’s number 21 jersey now hangs between number 32 and James Worthy’s number 42. (Photo: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

Cooper is still very popular in his native Los Angeles, as evidenced by the standing ovations and “Coooooooooop” serenades he was given throughout the night. The Lakers gave every fan at their downtown arena a replica Cooper jersey their first game since the fires destroyed it Los Angeles area.

The numerous retirements coincidentally came on an already emotional night for the Lakers and their fans after their previous two games were postponed due to catastrophic fires. Cooper is a Pasadena native who also lived in neighboring Altadena, which was devastated by the Eaton Canyon Fire.

“It’s kind of a happy-sad moment for me,” Cooper said. “A lot of landmarks, a few high schools I went to, they’re all gone now. I’m going to enjoy it tonight, but with a heavy heart because so many people have lost so many things.”

Cooper was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last October, 33 years after his last NBA game. The Lakers only retire Hall of Fame numbers, and were quick to announce that Cooper would join some of the most important players in basketball history among the franchise’s honorary players.

Cooper was never an All-Star, but he was the 1980s version of the 3-and-D specialists who have become a vital part of every NBA team in the 21st century. He was a five-time All-Defensive First Team selection and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

“I’ve always tried to play the right way,” Cooper said. “It feels so good to have people recognize that. Even though I’ve always been on a team with a lot of megastars, I’ve been overshadowed at times. But that didn’t bother me, because it was always about the body of work we put together and winning championships.”

Cooper went on to a long coaching career after leaving the Lakers, most notably leading the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championships.

Cooper was joined on the court for the halftime ceremony by former Lakers coach Pat Riley and several former Lakers teammates, including Johnson, Worthy, Byron Scott, Norm Nixon, Jamal Wilks, Kurt Rambis and Vlade Divac.

Johnson took the microphone first, calling Cooper “one of the greatest players to ever play basketball.”

Associated Press reports.

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