NBA: Playing The ‘Just Imagine Game’ With 10 Alternative Scenarios – Part 1

8. Just imagine…if the Charlotte Hornets kept Kobe Bryant instead of trading him on draft day

A: Life in the NBA would be a little different from what we have come to witness. To begin with, that Hornets team had a strong veteran presence with inside-outside scoring and a no-nonsense coach. We seen what the young, brash Kobe was like and I’m pretty sure he was playing it up for the LA crowd.

But this is Charlotte, NC that was not flying with the likes of Anthony Mason, Rickey Pierce, Muggsy Bogues, Tom Chambers and Dell Curry. Kobe, at that age, would have came out guns blazing every game.

Face of the franchise potential? Yes. All Star appearances? Yes. Scoring titles? Yes. Championships? Not likely. The roster was getting old, so maybe management would have made moves but again this is the Hornets.

To go deeper into this scenario, then you must head out West. Shaq was still going to be top-dog in LA regardless, but would other moves be made? Would Phil ever make it there? Rick Fox, Glen Rice, Mitch Richmond, Odom, Gasol and more?

Those teams were built around Bryant and O’Neal. Would Shaq have won any rings without Kobe?

Everyone talks about the bonehead mistake that the Trail Blazers made in not selecting Michael Jordan, but they had no idea and neither did the Hornets.

Both teams have not won a championship since, while Kobe and Mike have 11 combined and are arguably the best to ever play their positions.

Next: Frontcourt Magic