Lakers fans fume at Michael Cooper's faulty fan jerseys marring #21 retirement: "Send Jeanie Buss to the Milky Way"

The LA Lakers paid tribute to franchise icon Michael Cooper by retiring his No. 21 jersey during a halftime ceremony on Monday. Unfortunately, the celebration was overshadowed by a 126-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and issues with the fan jerseys handed out to attendees, which sparked backlash from fans.

Cooper’s long-awaited honor came after his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, where he was lauded as one of the NBA's greatest perimeter defenders.

However, some of the Michael Cooper jerseys given to fans contained imperfections. The Lakers issued a statement addressing the issue:

“As part of the celebration, the Lakers planned a replica jersey giveaway for fans, which was unfortunately produced and distributed with imperfections. The jerseys will be reproduced and every fan attending tonight can receive a new one in the coming weeks.”

The reported flaws included misaligned front logos, wrinkles and loose threads.

Fans voiced their frustration with the faulty jerseys, with some directing their anger at owner Jeanie Buss.

“Send Jeanie buss to the Milky Way,” one said.

“Jeanie buss can't do s**t right,” another said.

“Just another example of a poorly run franchise,” another added.

Here are other fan reactions:

“Poverty f**king franchise,” one said.

“This s**tty franchise can’t do anything right LMAOOO,” another commented.

“Hey Siri, describe the lakers the past 8 years,” another added.

Michael Cooper joins Lakers legends with retired jerseys

Michael Cooper’s 12-year career with the Lakers, from 1978 to 1990, was marked by his key role in the team’s "Showtime" era, contributing to five NBA championships alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Although he averaged just 8.9 points per game, his defensive skills earned him accolades such as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987 and eight All-Defensive Team selections.

"This is so overwhelming to me, because I never expected this at all,” Cooper said (per NBA.com). “I always played for the love of the game, and the team, and winning championships. Tonight is, to me, more special than the Hall of Fame — but both of them are equally important.”

Cooper has now been added to the prestigious list of Lakers legends, with his No. 21 jersey being retired alongside other franchise greats.

The full list of Lakers jersey retirements includes Kobe Bryant (8 and 24), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Pau Gasol (16), Michael Cooper (21), Elgin Baylor (22), Gail Goodrich (25), Magic Johnson (32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Shaquille O'Neal (34), James Worthy (42), Jerry West (44), Jamaal Wilkes (52) and George Mikan (99).