‘Sh*t Franchise’: Twitter Reacts to Unseen Footage of Kobe Bryant’s Pre-Draft Workout With LA Clippers

The Lakers are probably the biggest franchise out there. In their rich history, the Purple and Gold have had players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but perhaps the biggest superstar who called the Staples Center his home was Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, who came straight out of high school, had his fair share of doubters. Given that he was only 18-years-old and, unlike many others, preferred to skip college, many analysts were skeptical whether Kobe would succeed or not.

While opportunities were rather sparse for a young Bryant, he eventually became a household name and formed an incredible duo with Shaquille O’Neal. After a 20-year-career and five NBA titles later, the Lakers and Kobe have become synonymous.

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When Kobe Bryant worked out with the Clippers before the 1996 draft

The ‘Black Mamba’ might be the most influential Laker ever, but things could have been very different. While many know that Kobe was drafted as the 13th overall pick by Charlotte Hornets, many other teams had the chance to take the 18-year-old.

One of them was cross-town rivals LA Clippers. Ahead of the draft, the Clippers did give Bryant a pre-draft workout session. Knocking down jumpers and dunking the ball effortlessly, ‘Mamba’ had a great workout.

Footage from Kobe’s workout with the LA Clippers before the 1996 NBA Draft

(The Clippers drafted Lorenzen Wright with the 7th pick) pic.twitter.com/p4X5DK20dU

— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) October 10, 2021

Given how comfortable Kobe looked in the footage, drafting him looked like a no-brainer. But the Clippers had a different plan altogether. Although they were missing a quality shooting guard in their lineup, the Clippers opted to add another center in Lorenzen Wright.

While Wright ended up having a decent NBA career, he never was the franchise cornerstone Clips hoped for rather resorted to being a role player. Given how the addition of Kobe Bryant transformed the Lakers’ it is absolutely crazy to imagine how different the Clippers’ journey would have been.

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Twitter reacts to Kobe’s workout with Clippers

NBA Twitter went absolutely berserk as Kobe’s pre-draft workout footage with Clippers re-surfaced. While many fans were destroying the Clippers for passing up on a generational talent some defended the team’s actions.

Proof they’re a basement franchise

— Ty @1:00am (@EbFlesruoy) October 10, 2021

They had a bad owner at the time. They won 13 championships before they moved to Buffalo.

— Crackhead YB (@KevinDurfraud) October 10, 2021

How do we know Kobe becomes Kobe on the Clippers? No Phil Jackson and no Shaq. He likely doesn’t win any rings especially not as early in his career as he did. Also 12 other teams passed on him so it wasn’t just the Clippers.

— GL (@ProbNotThatGuy) October 10, 2021

The Clippers deserve everything that happened to them since smh

— Backwards (@Backwardsman99) October 10, 2021

Lmao shit franchise

— Shaizon (@NewarkDemonShai) October 10, 2021

Dam that sucks lol

— KingJorge2nd (@jorge1018ocasio) October 10, 2021

Kobe was a risky pick coming out of HS, that’s why most teams didn’t take a risk and Kobe ended up being the greatest non lottery pick ever. No one could have expected him to have that crazy work ethic. Had he done a year in college, he would easily go top 7 in 1997 draft

— bobby (@blaze_420_boy) October 11, 2021

i would have drafted him after he made that left-handed 3 pointer

— Sal Magluta (@BrainsonBrian) October 11, 2021

Let’s be honest. No matter how you feel about the Clippers organization. No one, except Jerry West, saw what Kobe would become.

— Aaron (@pjlove10) October 11, 2021

Elgin Baylor can’t spot talent right in front of him. Thanks Elgin for being a true Laker at heart.

— christian mendoza (@chrismen320) October 10, 2021

While many might diss the Clippers for missing out on Kobe, drafting players coming out of high school was a huge risk. While they might have potential, they are usually raw and need ideal circumstances to thrive. Do you think Kobe would have thrived with the Clippers?

The post ‘Sh*t Franchise’: Twitter Reacts to Unseen Footage of Kobe Bryant’s Pre-Draft Workout With LA Clippers appeared first on EssentiallySports.