LaVine feared asking Peković for number 14

Zach LaVine, the American guard, reminisced about a moment from his early NBA career, revealing why he never asked teammate Nikola Peković for his favored jersey number 14. LaVine was selected 13th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Upon joining the team, he wanted to continue wearing number 14, a significant number for him as it was his college choice and his father's NFL number.

However, Peković already held number 14 in Minnesota. Seeing who the number belonged to, LaVine decided against even asking. "I couldn't wear eight. I used to wear number 14, my dad's number, and I wore it in college too," LaVine explained. "So I tried to get 14 in the NBA my rookie year."

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I couldn’t wear eight. I used to wear number 14, my dad’s number, and I wore it in college too. So I tried to get 14 in the NBA my rookie year.

LaVine elaborated on his decision: "But then I saw Peković. Number 14 was his, and I couldn't ask him to give it to me. Honestly, I was scared. The guy weighed almost 140 kilos (308 pounds). You'd walk into the gym and see a 140-kilo beast from Montenegro doing 25 pull-ups. And I thought, 'Why would I ask him for his number?' So, I chose number 8 because I was a Kobe fan."

The anecdote offers a glimpse into LaVine's mindset as a young player navigating team dynamics and player hierarchies, ultimately choosing a number inspired by a legend over his personal preference due to intimidation.

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But then I saw Peković. Number 14 was his, and I couldn't ask him to give it to me. Honestly, I was scared. The guy weighed almost 140 kilos. You'd walk into the gym and see a 140-kilo beast from Montenegro doing 25 pull-ups. And I thought, 'Why would I ask him for his number?' So, I chose number 8 because I was a Kobe fan.