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The Warriors Not Drafting Kobe Bryant was a Blessing

The name Todd Fuller probably still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many Warriors fans everywhere.

In the 1996 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors selected Fuller, a senior center out of NC State, with the 11th pick. Two picks later, the Charlotte Hornets selected (and, shortly after, traded) Kobe Bryant. One guy went on to win five championships in his illustrious career while the other guy struggled to play five seasons in the NBA.

Bryant is playing in his last NBA game tonight, closing the book on what has been a spectacular twenty year career with enough highlights to keep you entertained for hours.