With the 13th pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant. How would life be for the Los Angeles Lakers if Kobe Bryant had never played a single second in tinseltown? Would the Charlotte Hornets be the "crown jewel" of the NBA?
Charlotte with Kobe Bryant
Making all assumptions that Kobe Bryant would have still become the player he is today, let's take a "crystal ball" glance into the life of the Charlotte Hornets, with Kobe Bryant. During the 1996-97 NBA season, the Charlotte Hornets went 54-28. Charlotte was on a slow steady climb as a franchise, gaining momentum and becoming a playoff caliber team. During this time, Charlotte still had the services of post player, Anthony Mason and high powered shooters, Dell Curry and Glen Rice. The edition of a young high school kid named Kobe Bryant could have served them well. History shows that Bryant was NEVER going to play for Charlotte, and a trade seemed obvious from the moment he was drafted. Would the Hornets have kept Bryant...if they could? Here are some key thoughts to ponder about the Charlotte Hornets with Kobe Bryant:
- The Hornets would still be in Charlotte thanks to Kobe Bryant. Lack of attendance and ticket sells were the two biggest reasons the team bolted from Charlotte to New Orleans.
- The fan base would have increased dramatically. Charlotte Hornets merchandise would have gone through the roof! High attendance and support would have increased the "team" fan base and thus supplied more revenue for the franchise.
- With more money come more options. Charlotte could have built a solid cast around developing star, Kobe Bryant and the win totals would have increased. By the second or third season of his career, Bryant and the Hornets could have been competing for the Eastern Division crown.
- In 2000, Kobe Bryant was considered a full fledged superstar when he won his first NBA title. With a solid fan base, strong revenue, and money to build a strong team and coaching staff, the 2000 NBA champions "could" have been the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte without Kobe Bryant
The Charlotte Hornets have bounced around like a loose ball at center court. The Hornets were forced to leave Charlotte due to poor attendance and overall ticket sales. The team was sent to New Orleans and then shipped to Oklahoma City after the natural disaster that was Hurricane Katrina. Once New Orleans was in satisfactory condition, the Hornets returned to New Orleans. While the Hornets relocated to New Orleans, the newly formed and established Charlotte Bobcats were invading the Queen City. Could Kobe Bryant have saved the Charlotte Hornets franchise?
Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant
Asking what Kobe Bryant has meant to the Los Angeles Lakers is like asking what air means to a human being. Watch a Laker game or read any newspaper and then you'll know what's up. Kobe Bryant IS the face of the current Laker franchise and as "he goes" so do the Lakers. Bryant has been groomed and polished like a dusty diamond and is considered by many to be one of the best the NBA has ever seen. Los Angeles found a golden star in Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles without Kobe Bryant
Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones would have continued to control the backcourt, and Shaquille O'Neal would have been "the star" for the Lakers without Kobe Bryant. In a Laker universe without Kobe, the 1998 trade of Nick Van Exel to the Denver Nuggets and the 1999 trade of Eddie Jones to the Charlotte Hornets probably would have never happened. Van Exel and Jones were traded to make room for the emerging star that was Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles would have been a solid team, but one can only speculate if the Lakers would have claimed the NBA title. One man doesn't honestly make a team, but with no perimeter threat the caliber of Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal would have carried the entire load in respect to major production. The "hack-a-Shaq" philosophy would have become even more productive, and the Lakers would have suffered in key areas of the game. Every superstar needs a "wing man", and Shaq would have been alone without the bright star of Bryant. In September of 2001 an aging Michael Jordan returned to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. One can only speculate in a Laker world without Kobe, Michael Jordan could have signed with the Lakers and ended his magnificent career with Shaquille O'Neal, and his former coach...Phil Jackson.
Final Thoughts
Since we all know the truth and how things have played out for every party involved, the speculation on the "what if" is honestly an endless story with many chapters. While be it a fun topic of conversation, one can only assume that life is better for all parties involved. The New Orleans Hornets are a legit playoff caliber team, and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently fighting the Orlando Magic for yet another NBA title. Life is good...but the "what if" game is always fun to play.
