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Jerry West on how he knew Kobe Bryant was special, shocked Suns & Kings passed up on drafting Luka Doncic

"The mental part was especially noticeable."

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NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West is revered as one of the greatest team builders in the history of basketball and is responsible for the Los Angeles Lakers landing Kobe Bryant.

While he got off to a slow start, Bryant retired as a Laker legend and is considered to be the GOAT by many fans. However, 12 teams passed up on the opportunity to draft him in 1996, with West having planned to snag the Philadelphia-born teenager should he get the chance.

The former Lakers superstar, now an executive for the Clippers, sat down with Terrell Owens and Matthew Hatchette for an episode of Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch. The full episode will air on Fubo Sports Network this Sunday and, in the clip below, West explains how he knew Bryant would be a special player, noting his mental toughness and ability to compete against grown men in superior fashion while still a teen.

He also expressed shock at teams passing up on Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.

Jerry West Was SHOCKED That Phoenix Suns & Sacramento Kings Didn't Draft Luka Doncic In 2018

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