Kobe Bryant Wins 2002 NBA Finals, Recalls Draft Encounter

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers completed a three-peat in 2002.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to a sweep of the New Jersey Nets, averaging 26.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.

He shot over 51 percent overall, including a 50 percent clip in 3-point territory.

The 2002 series carried extra meaning to Bryant, who had a long history with the Nets dating back to the pre-draft workouts in 1996.

Bobby Marks, the director of basketball operations for New Jersey in 2002, recalled an encounter with Kobe after the sweep.

Kobe said, 'Hey, you know I would have come right?' to Marks, who was his driver during the pre-draft workout.

Marks believed Kobe would have welcomed being the eighth-overall pick for the Nets if only John Calipari had never gotten cold feet.

Calipari served as the head coach and the executive vice president of basketball operations, and Larry Brown revealed that Calipari was close to drafting Bryant.

But the ownership vetoed it, and Kobe dropped all the way to 13th.

Kobe often looked back at the 1996 draft process and talked about playing for other franchises, including the Boston Celtics.

He would have appreciated organizations that bent over backward to try to secure his services.

On 15 June 2002, Kobe won his third consecutive NBA championship, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

The Lakers' victory parade was held on 17 June 2002, with thousands of fans cheering for Kobe and his teammates.

Kobe's performance in the 2002 NBA Finals cemented his status as a dominant force in the league, and his encounter with Bobby Marks remains a memorable moment in his career.