The New Jersey Nets were one of the teams to pass on Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft but it turns out they did so because ...
After going undrafted in 1996, the most 'terrifying player in NBA history' carved out a remarkably successful career ...
Best ever or not, the 1996 NBA Draft Class definitely brought a different type of swag and introduced changes that can still be felt around the Association.
On NBA Today, former Nets executive Bobby Marks revealed they wanted to draft Bryant but were told he would play in Italy if they picked him. "We passed on Kobe in that '96 draft," Marks said.