Kobe Bryant almost became a Celtic after Lakers legend had remarkable NBA Draft workout with Boston ...Middle East

The Boston Celtics are one of basketball’s most storied teams, and their 79-year history would have been even richer if they had stayed true to their draft board in 1996.

Allen Iverson, a league-changing point guard and future Hall of Famer, went No. 1 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers after an impressive college run at Georgetown.

The 1996 NBA Draft was one of the best in the sport’s history, as Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Marcus Camby, Jermaine O’Neal and Peja Stojaković all entered The Association.

But there’s no doubt almost 30 years later that Kobe Bryant should have been the top pick.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets at 13th overall, he actually came incredibly close to joining the Los Angeles Lakers‘ biggest rival.

Bryant intrigued the Celtics so much that the straight-out-of-high-school product was even compared to Michael Jordan.

“If you closed your eyes and thought a little bit, you might have thought you were watching Michael Jordan,” then-Celtics general manager Jan Volk told ESPN.

“He did everything well — beyond well. He was exceptional in everything that he did. And then we commented, as I recall, on how reminiscent he was of Michael.”

Bryant had a remarkable basketball career and inspired tennis superstar Novak Djokovic.

The Philadelphia-born guard was even picked by Jordan when the six-time NBA champion was forced to choose between the famous Laker and LeBron James in 2013.

“Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant,” Jordan said. “He wants it so bad and he’s willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a point guard at the age of 34, playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes, that’s ludicrous.”

In 1996, Bryant was loaded with young talent but still trying to find a home in the league.

Boston was in a down period, having gone 33-49 the year before and needing NBA-ready names for head coach M.L. Carr.

The Celtics faced a huge decision.

Bryant blew Boston away during his pre-draft workout.

He knew the Celtics’ history, was familiar with the franchise’s storylines and stars, and was open to joining the Eastern Conference club — despite already being a Lakers fan.

“When I tell you this — and I don’t like to say a lot of good things about the Lakers — but I am absolutely telling you this straight up: He was unbelievable in the interview,” Carr said.

“He was the best interview that I’ve ever been a part of. Kobe knew the league as well as anyone.

“He knew the Celtics from a historical standpoint. He knew the Celtics probably better than most Celtics did at 17 years old.”

Camby went No. 2 to Toronto, Shareef Abdur-Rahim followed at No. 3 to the Vancouver Grizzlies, and Marbury was taken by Milwaukee at 4.

As Boston’s pick at No. 6 approached, the Celtics effectively talked themselves out of drafting one of the best players in NBA history.

Boston legend Red Auerbach was big on Bryant but knew it was risky for a team in need to invest so much in a high school player.

Instead of Bryant joining Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek in the rafters, the Celtics played it safe and selected Kentucky’s Antoine Walker.

Bryant fell all the way to No. 13 and the Hornets, before being traded to the Lakers.

Black Mamba won five NBA titles, including a 2010 championship over Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Allen and the Celtics.

Boston, meanwhile, won its 18th trophy a year ago, beating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 finals.

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