The Lakers have often been considered the most powerful NBA organization in league history.
The franchise has won 17 championships with many of the greatest players ever. Lebron James led the team to its latest title while in ‘the bubble’ in Orlando during the COVID impacted 2020 season.
“Since joining Cleveland in 2003, James has been widely regarded as the most dominant player in the sport. Throughout his career, he has only been coached by Eric Spoelstra, who remains at the helm even a decade after the dissolution of the ‘Big Three’.
Recently, James’ son, Bronny, was drafted by the Lakers following a challenging freshman season at USC. Agent Rich Paul reportedly warned other teams against drafting young James, indicating he would seek opportunities elsewhere. This decision sparked widespread discussion across social media during the draft coverage.”
No matter where Bronny landed, the spotlight would remain bright because of his father. It’s definitely a neat moment seeing the first father-son duo play in the league at the same time – a top storyline until the NBA begins regular season play in October.
This isn’t the first time the Lakers played a role in undermining how the draft played out. When John Calipari took his shot at the NBA with New Jersey, he had the chance to draft legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant way back in 1996.
The Philadelphia native skipped college only to be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 13. A trade that was actually in the works before the draft came to fruition which sent Bryant across the country to Los Angeles.
“Bryant’s strategic maneuvers that night were far-reaching. Rumors of his potential move to professional basketball in Italy deterred teams impressed by his skills from drafting him.
Coach Calipari admired Bryant but was dissuaded from selecting him in his first NBA draft, where the Nets opted for Kerry Kittles instead. Kittles enjoyed a solid NBA career, although he never achieved Bryant’s level of success.
In a 2011 ESPN interview, Bryant expressed satisfaction with Kittles but also hinted at the greatness that lay ahead for him.”
John wanted to take Kobe Bryant in the [1996] draft,” then Nets GM John Nash told O’Connor. “And he got faked out.”
Calipari disagrees to an extent.
“Everybody knows I was talked out of that,” Calipari said. “But let me say this, the opportunity to coach Kerry Kittles, I wouldn’t give up for anything. I love Kerry Kittles and I said at the time he’ll be better than Kobe these first couple of years, but in five years Kobe’s going to be off the charts.”
We got an ultimatum from Kobe, too,” Kings player personnel director Jerry Reynolds said in 1996. “Not just Charlotte. We were at No. 14 and we were strongly considering taking Kobe, but he was gone.”
Bryant’s career played out well anyway playing for his childhood dream team. He won five NBA championships, earned two Finals MVP, named an 18-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and the only player to have two jersey numbers retired.
How his career followed what may have been fate all along as a result of draft manipulation to its greatest extent. Similarly, the James situation will be talked about for years to come also after an over the top agent and a bit of nepotism allowed Lebron to now say he can play with his son.
