The 1996 NBA draft is considered one of the best in league history.
It featured Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Steve Nash. There was also Derek Fisher, Jermaine O’Neal and Peja Stojakovic, Stephon Marbury and Marcus Camby.
Kerry Kittles, who was drafted No. 8 by the New Jersey Nets that year, recently spoke about the stacked class with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
“I didn’t know Kobe would be Kobe,” Kittles said. “I played against him in high school… I knew he was talented, but not that caliber. Same with Steve Nash—played him at the Maui Classic. But man… Jermaine O’Neal, Peja, Derek Fisher? That Draft was special.”
The 1984 draft is widely considered the best ever. That had Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton, all Hall of Famers and on the NBA’s Top 75 list.
Then there was 2003 when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh were chosen. This summer, Anthony joins Wade and Bosh in the Hall of Fame. James will get an invite once he retires.
Still, Kittles, who helped the Nets reach the Finals in 2002 and 2003, said he would put the `96 class against any.
Kittles said, “My Draft? I’d put it up against ANY draft. Even 2003.”
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