While many have crossed paths with Kobe Bryant over the past 20 years, it was Jerry West who made the “Black Mamba” a Los Angeles Laker.
West was the general manager who brought Bryant to Los Angeles during the 1996 NBA Draft, when he traded Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets. It was West's confidence in Bryant that led him to becoming arguably the greatest Laker of all time.
The two-time Executive of the Year commented on exactly what his thought process was when he acquired the 17-year-old Bryant in 1996:
“If you had a chance to watch and just a chance to watch him do things on his own, you'd say to yourself, ‘this is a savant,'”He happened to be a basketball player.”
West also discussed Bryant's demeanor right before the 1996 Draft:
“He couldn't sit still. They show pictures on TV where there's a storm and electrical flames are down, they're going all over the place, jumping, making sparks. That's who he was. You could see that.”
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It was the draft day trade of Bryant and the acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal from the Orlando Magic that laid the groundwork for the Lakers to win three straight championships at the turn of the millennium.
While no one could predict the five championships and the numerous accolades that Bryant would accomplish over the course of 20 years in Los Angeles, West always knew what type of player he had in the Lower Merion High School product: “He was really special.”
The 18-time All-Star will have the opportunity to be special one more time when he plays his final game versus the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
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