Kobe shunned, bypassed by several teams heading into ’96 draft - NYPOST.com

"They told me it was the two best workouts they’d ever seen," he said. "That’s it, I figured, I was going be a Clipper and play in L.A. I was pumped!"
Before Bryant had finished his fantasy, his magic carpet ride crashed. Out of nowhere, Baylor and Fitch flipped the switch.
"Your skill level is off the charts. Your athleticism is exceptional. And your energy and enthusiasm are remarkable," they gushed. "But we can’t draft you."
Huh? What! Why not?
"Because people out here won’t think we’re serious if we draft a high school kid at No. 7."
So, Baylor and Fitch showed they meant business by plucking Memphis center Lorenzen Wright (whose July 2010 murder remains unsolved).

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/kobe_shunned_bypassed_by_several_HMWsicdEnlJUhqhwDdmXNI#ixzz1mBqZ9cI3

3 months ago mustang6944 12 comments 0 recs |

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I never heard this story before

has anyone else?

by mustang6944 on Feb 12, 2012 9:36 AM PST reply actions

Glad Baylor is not around anymore.

by lovinglosangeles on Feb 12, 2012 9:42 AM PST reply actions

It's incredible how everyone gave Sterling 100% of the blame...

for the futility of the “old” Clippers. I’d say it’s a 50/50 split between Sterling and Elgin Baylor. Baylor was the LA version of Isiah Thomas, and stories like this prove it.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin

by 82-0 on Feb 12, 2012 9:58 AM PST reply actions

I'd say 60-40

Sterling has the defense of not knowing and really liking Baylor.

by mustang6944 on Feb 12, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions

I've always contended even to this day that...

Baylor never got enough blame for the Clippers’ futility…the man was just lazy and complancent. Sterling’s biggest fault is keep Elgin around FAR too long, and the franchise suffered because of it. He only made four good trades in 22 years—Danny Ferry for Ron Harper, Mark Jackson for Charles Smith, Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler, and Sam Cassell and a #1 for Marko Jaric (although I credit Mike Dunleavy for that and all other roster moved from 2003 and on).

We don’t know if Kobe would have excelled under Bill Fitch, who was always known as a hard-ass, although he’s always made something out of nothing in his other coaching stops. KidJustin is correctly below—Kobe took at least 2-3 years to develop into the great player that he is today, and he didn’t become a full-time starter until at least the middle of his second season.

by Shawn H on Feb 13, 2012 10:20 AM PST up reply actions

Elgin Baylor

seems to me that he was on a secret mission from his former basketball team, The Lakers, to make sure the Clippers are never relevant.

And now Baylor was suing the Clippers?
OH HELL NO

by agolden on Feb 12, 2012 10:11 AM PST reply actions

Wasn't Pelinka telling everyone Kobe would only play for the Lakers?

I may be wrong, but I remember Pelinka telling the Nets et al., that if they draft Kobe he won’t sign.

Kobe’s always seemed like a straight up guy but I don’t buy this at all. It’s easy for the story to come out after almost 16 years when the Clippers are in first.

by yaggiefresh on Feb 12, 2012 10:32 AM PST reply actions

Pelinka said playing in Charlotte was "an impossibility" for Kobe when he was drafted...

but I don’t recall him making demands beforehand.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Boise State
"The Lakers do win games. But things can change." - Blake Griffin

by 82-0 on Feb 12, 2012 12:09 PM PST up reply actions

Elgin Baylor...

Well I’m not going to feel sad and play the what if game about the 96 draft. All this article reaffirms for me is how horrible Baylor was as a GM. That guy may have been a great player but he will probably go down as the worst GM in the history of the NBA.

by lbclips on Feb 12, 2012 6:20 PM PST via mobile reply actions