Kobe Bryant almost became a Celtic after Lakers legend had remarkable NBA draft workout with Boston

The Boston Celtics are back in the NBA Finals and are one of the most famous basketball teams.

The Celtics’ 78-year history would have been even richer if Boston had stuck with its 1996 draft board.

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League-changing point guard and future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson became the No. 1 overall pick for the Philadelphia 76ers after an impressive college run at Georgetown.

The 1996 NBA Draft was one of the best in sports 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 that nearly 30 years later, Bryant should have been the top pick.

Bryant also came incredibly close to joining the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest rival.

He intrigued the Celtics so much that the straight-out-of-high school product was even compared to an Air Jordan.

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

“He did everything well – more than good. He was exceptional in everything he did. And then we commented, as I recall, how reminiscent of Michael he was.”

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

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

“In championship terms, it’s Kobe Bryant,” Jordan said. “He wants it so bad and he’s ready to go to the extreme. Keeping a point guard at 34, playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes, it’s ridiculous.”

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

Boston was in a rough patch, having gone 33-49 the previous year and needing NBA-ready names for head coach ML Carr.

The Celtics were faced with a big decision.

Bryant blew away Boston in his pre-draft workout.

He knew the history of the Celtics, was familiar with the franchise’s storylines and stars and was willing to join 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 tell you straight: He was incredible in the interview,” Carr said.

“It was the best interview I have 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 at 17.”

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

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 felt strongly about Bryant, but knew it was risky for a team that needed 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 Antoine Walker from Kentucky.

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

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

Boston is aiming for its 18th trophy in 2024.

The Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers, leaving Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to await their opponent in the Finals.

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks can close out Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.