It’s still amazing that Kobe Bryant was selected 13th in the 1996 NBA Draft. NBA teams were a lot less focused on drafting the high school star or the year then, as they would become in later years. The Celtics ultimately picked well selecting Antoine Walker from Kentucky with the 6th pick. The 1996 draft featured players like Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Peja Stojakovic and Steve Nash. Kobe Bryant would end up becoming the greatest player in that draft. 12 teams had the chance to draft Kobe but the Charlotte Hornets to their soon regret drafted him. Kobe demanded a trade and was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac. Kobe wasn’t the best rookie but would take to form in the years to come. It’s still quite an image to see Kobe in Celtics practice gear. Who knows how the NBA would have changed. Shaq and the Lakers likely wouldn’t have won in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Boston may have gotten Tim Duncan the following season and had the greatest duo of the 2000s.
Reblogged this on Mr. Weathers aka bigmoney tlk and commented:
very rare kobe in green and white must read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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