Before the 1996 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics were awed by a young Kobe Bryant. But to that point, only a few high school players had successfully made the leap to the pros.

Oct 11, 2023 · As a kid, Kobe Bryant hated the Boston Celtics. But during an interview with ESPN's Baxter Holmes in 2015, the Black Mamba said that if the Celtics had drafted him in 1996, he would've played for the team and done his best to continue the franchise's winning tradition.

Sep 16, 2024 · Kobe almost became a Celtic? Bryant later claimed that his workout with the Celtics was one of the craziest things he had done. It's not because he became a Lakers icon later on; it's because he knew of the Celtics' rich history and championship culture.

Oct 22, 2023 · Kobe Bryant said beating Boston in Game 7 was his greatest achievement: “My teammates picked me up”

May 28, 2024 · As Boston's pick at No. 6 approached, the Celtics effectively talked themselves out of drafting one of the best players in NBA history.

Jan 26, 2020 · Although he ended up with a pedestrian (for him) 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists, Bryant delivered the winner with seven seconds left. It was the only game-winner he made against the...

Jun 17, 2024 · Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has surpassed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for most points scored in the playoffs before turning 27.

Jan 26, 2020 · And for years, that was an all-too-common reaction to what Bryant did on the floor in leading the Lakers to -- along with the Celtics -- be the standard-bearers for NBA greatness. The impact of Bryant’s death will be felt throughout the NBA, a …

6 days ago · Celtics Jayson Tatum reaches 13,000 points, becoming one of seven NBA players to hit the milestone before turning 27 Tatum joined names like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain in ...

Nov 30, 2015 · With Kobe Bryant announcing that he'll retire at the end of the season, we look back at some of his special moments against the Celtics.