Kobe Bryant will be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court. The Black Mamba set out to be the single-greatest player in the history of the game, and after a 2009 game-winner against the Milwaukee Bucks, Bryant told Lamar Odom that he felt he was better than Michael Jordan.
“We were on the bus one night, I think this is after he hit a game-winner against Milwaukee. My n***a comes on the bus and says in front of me and Fish, ‘Yo, I’m better than Mike’. I was like, ‘You’re better than Mike? That’s how you feeling?'”
Lamar Odom says Kobe told the entire Lakers team bus he was better than MJ in 2010 👀
(via @LADEig) pic.twitter.com/fe4XAxQMgx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 4, 2024
At the time of this quote, Kobe was a four-time champion in December 2009. His feelings must have become even stronger after he led the Lakers to the 2010 Championship, winning the fifth ring of his career. The shot he hit on the Bucks was an instant highlight, as it sealed a 107-106 OT win for the Lakers.
Bryant would never compete for a championship again, seeing his three-peat attempt in 2011 be thwarted with a sweep loss to eventual champions, the Dallas Mavericks.
If Kobe was to win a sixth title, his name would have been atop the GOAT conversation more often. But the reality of his career doesn’t necessarily reflect Kobe as the GOAT. His first three titles came with arguably the most dominant center to ever play, Shaquille O’Neal, who won the three Finals MVPs of the 2000-02 three-peat.
Nonetheless, Kobe’s legacy is indisputable among the 10 greatest players of all time. Nobody would put him behind anyone except Jordan when it comes to shooting guards and large swathes of NBA fans do view Kobe as the GOAT.
Kobe Bryant Told Michael Jordan He’d Beat Him 1-On-1
Kobe never wanted to be viewed as lesser than MJ, even when the pair developed a close friendship. MJ used to mentor Kobe and even praised the then-youngster on repeated occasions. Everyone could see the parallel between the two players, especially with Kobe heavily emulating how MJ played.
Phil Jackson, a coach who won 11 titles between coaching Jordan and Bryant, shared an interesting story about Kobe telling MJ that he could beat him in a one-on-one.
“We had a little meeting in the cigar room of the bar downstairs,” Jackson said. “Michael and I were sitting there and Kobe walked in after a shower and the press whatnot. He sat down (and) he said, ‘Michael, I can take you 1-on-1.’ And Michael said, ‘Well, I think you might, I’m 37, you’re 22, right.'”
The fact that Jordan even used age to concede the argument to Kobe shows how much he respected him. A 22-year-old Kobe could beat a 27-year-old Jordan, but MJ himself admitting that shows the admiration he had for Kobe. I would bet if a no-name basketball player went up to a nearly 65-year-old Jordan, the six-time Finals MVP would believe he’ll cook that opponent.
But Kobe isn’t just another opponent. Their competitive rivalry fueled Bryant to achieve more and birthed his legendary work ethic. Even if Kobe couldn’t surpass Jordan, it’s clear that there’s been no one who’s come even that close among guards in NBA history.
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