Did Kobe Bryant switch teams?

A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, he declared for the 1996 NBA draft and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick; he was then traded to the Lakers.

Did Kobe almost go to the Bulls?

Kobe Bryant didn’t shy away from Michael Jordan comparisons. In fact, he almost joined the Bulls — twice.

Was Kobe traded draft day?

In the 1996 NBA Draft, the Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick. Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant.

How did Kobe get drafted at 17?

In 1996, two notable players made the jump from high school to the NBA. The first was Kobe Bryant, selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the NBA draft, but traded almost immediately to the Los Angeles Lakers. The second was Jermaine O’Neal, selected by the Trail Blazers with the 17th pick.

Why did Kobe Change Number?

Kobe Bryant Changed From 8 To 24 To Begin A ‘Clean Slate’ You’re going after them. It’s nonstop energy and aggressiveness and stuff,” Kobe started. “Then 24 is a growth from that. Physical attributes aren’t there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater.

Why did Kobe stop playing in the NBA?

After winning 3 NBA championships and playing for 9 seasons with #8 on his back, Kobe finally decided it was time to move on after the 2004-2005 season. According to ESPN, it was Kobe’s way to start everything fresh after being involved in several controversies.

How many jersey numbers does Kobe Bryant have retired?

Kobe Bryant played in the NBA for 20 years and left an unforgettable legacy in the hearts of NBA fans. While it’s an honor to get a jersey retired by a franchise, Kobe has done it twice. The two jersey numbers, #8 and #24, which Kobe wore during his career, are hanging in the rafters of Staples Center.

Who was the first team to consider Kobe?

Wright spent three middling seasons with the Clippers before being traded to the Hawks for future draft considerations. At No. 8, the Nets were the first team to give Kobe serious consideration. They worked him out three times and were smitten with him, with both Calipari and GM John Nash concluding that he was the guy.

Why did Kobe Bryant leave the Lakers in 2004?

But he ended up doing so because, in 2004, the Lakers changed direction by trading Shaquille O’Neal to the Heat. The team was morphing into something new, and Bryant opted to evolve along with it. Off the court, he’d also been accused of sexual assault the year prior.