Only the Boston Celtics can rival the Los Angeles Lakers when it comes to championships won (17) and the number of iconic superstars to come through their organization over the course of the team’s illustrious history.
The Lakers have always had the ability to bring in the brightest young stars and proven superstars looking to win titles with so many names that come to mind, like Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
The list goes on and on when it comes to legendary players that have worn the purple and gold, but there was one player in particular that arguably stood out among the rest.
On this day almost three decades ago, the Lakers changed their franchise forever, with the team bringing in one the most polarizing players the league has ever seen in superstar-to-be Kobe Bryant.
27 years ago today: the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Soon after, Mamba was traded to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. pic.twitter.com/IeZGe32wnd
— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) June 26, 2023
Before Bryant’s life ended tragically a few years ago, the Lakers legend put together an incredible career filled with remarkable accomplishments both on and off the floor while representing the historic franchise.
During his 20-year career with the Lakers, the only team he played for in two decades in the league, Bryant led the Lakers to five NBA titles while playing alongside fellow legends like O’Neal and Gasol.
As a result of his accomplishments on the hardwood, Bryant was recently enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame along with some of the greats he battled it out with during his career, like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.
