Remembering Kobe and the 1996 NBA Draft
Kobe’s passing is devastating. He was truly a worldwide icon. Growing up in the 90’s and early 00’s we’d be shooting at rusted hoops and ripped nets in South-West Sydney, yelling ‘KOBEEEEEE’ at every shot we took.
You either loved or hated the L.A. Lakers. A generation of Lakers fans were born and all because of only one man, Kobe. For everyone else like me you loathed the fact that the Lakers had Kobe and your own team had jack sh!t. You couldn’t help though to just sit back and admire Black Mamba and his superhuman talents.
Kobe was drafted in 1996 with the 13th pick, straight out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. Such was his legacy the Lakers retired both his numbers – an NBA first – retiring the #8 and #24.
The biggest loser of the 1996 draft and perhaps in history was the Charlotte Hornets. They agreed to trade the rights for Kobe to the Lakers for centre Vlade Divac. As a part of the deal the Lakers had informed the Hornets to pick Kobe during the draft as a part of the deal.
It’s amazing to think that 12 other teams passed on the opportunity to draft Kobe, a 5-time NBA Champion and 18-time NBA All-Star. In a draft full of All-Stars, he easily eclipses anyone else in his class – not an easy feat considering the likes of Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Jermaine O’Neal are fellow alumni.
Kobe was just eclipsed by Lebron for third in the all-time points tally in the NBA. Despite being #4 on the all-time list, his unwaivered loyalty to the Lakers and his love for his family is his greatest legacy. Kobe will be dearly missed, and the NBA and the world will never be the same.
