Kobe ‘dreamed about playing in New York’

Add Kobe Bryant to the list of superstars who claimed a desire to play for Knicks but only ended up torturing them as an opponent.

“I always kind of dreamed about playing in New York and what that would have been like,” Bryant, the Laker Lifer, told The Athletic. “It’s true. As a fan, the Garden was the historical arena. It’s like the last one left. So, when I came into the NBA there used to be Chicago Stadium (which was replaced by the United Center in 1994). It’s crazy to think that you guys don’t know what Chicago Stadium is.

“So, there was like three historical arenas. Chicago Stadium and Boston Garden (demolished in 1998) were torn down. The only thing left was MSG. So, I always wanted to be a part of that history and play in it. …It would’ve been pretty good to play in that city.”

Bryant spent his entire 20year career with the Lakers while winning five titles and making 18 All-Star appearances. He was traded on draft night from the Hornets after being taken 13th overall in 1996. In that same draft, the Knicks picked John Wallace (18th) and Walter McCarty (19th). They also acquired Larry Johnson from the Hornets in 1996 by trading Anthony Mason. In other words, they could’ve beaten the Lakers’ offer of Vlade Divac.

Bryant requested a trade in 2007 and later insisted the Bulls were his No. 1 destination. But he remained in L.A. and won two more championships before retiring in 2016. The Knicks haven’t won a title since 1973 and haven’t had a league MVP since Willis Reed in 1970.