What if: Kobe Bryant in Celtics green

Kobe Bryant shared a couple of “what-if” pictures on his Twitter page Wednesday.

With the Lakers preparing to hit Boston for a Thursday night meeting against the Celtics, Bryant posted a shot of his pre-draft workout in Boston from 1996.

Bryant can be seen wearing Celtic green in front of late Hall of Famer and noted defender Dennis Johnson.

In a second image, passed on by Bryant from his follower Guisseppe Gumban, a gangly Bryant appears to be trying to box out Johnson for a rebound.

Bryant was drafted 13th in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets (years before their move to New Orleans). He was traded on draft night to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.

The Celtics chose Antoine Walker with the sixth pick in the draft.

To be fair to Boston, Walker probably had a better career than the next six picks (the late Lorenzen Wright, Kerry Kittles, Samaki Walker, Erick Dampier, Todd Fuller and Vitaly Potapenko). In retrospect, the 12 teams that picked before Charlotte probably wish they’d had a do-over.

Allen Iverson was the top selection in 1996. Derek Fisher was chosen by the Lakers at No. 24. Steve Nash was picked 15th by the Phoenix Suns.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.