For most basketball fans out there, Michael Jordan is the only GOAT. We can keep going on and on about Jordan’s achievements in the league and outside of it to prove that point.
Since Michael Jordan is considered the true GOAT, many thought they would have to wait several decades to see a player who had a similar playing style to Jordan. Well, it didn’t take many years, as Kobe Bryant was drafted into the league in 1996.
Over the years, we have seen Kobe Bryant chasing the ghost of Michael Jordan. MJ was Kobe’s idol, and evidently, a young Mamba wanted to get as much information as possible from his idol. During his first game against the Bulls legend in the 1997-98 season, Kobe picked Jordan’s brain.
“Oh yeah, he asked me one question when we were down, bent down at half court. He wanted to know how when I turn around on my jump shot, how to lock on defense and how to get the feel of the defense. I told him you should feel the defense with your legs. Once you feel the defense in your leg you more or less got to feel where the defense is and you can take advantage of that.”
“Not at all,” Jordan said about having no problem in giving away his trade secrets. “It’s just a matter of passing. I think that enhances his basketball skill and someone did that for me, and certainly I am not against giving him any hints about his game if he asks. I’m certainly not gonna come out and try to give him too much information to the kid. He has learned a lot, in short amount of time he has been in the league, and I believe he is gonna continue to learn.”
Many players may have hesitated about giving too much information to an upcoming superstar in the league. But Michael Jordan certainly didn’t mind helping Kobe learn and ultimately grow as a basketball player.
Who Was The Better Player Between Michael Jordan And Kobe Bryant?
Kobe Bryant broke down and studied Michael Jordan as much as possible. Obviously, the Mamba’s target was to one day surpass Jordan.
While Kobe became an amazing superstar, he certainly didn’t surpass MJ. Sure, Kobe won more head-to-head games in the few years they had an opportunity to face off against each other, but that’s not enough for fans to put him over Jordan.
Looking at their career comparisons, Mike has the edge over the Lakers legend. Even when we compare the career highs between them, Jordan gets the edge over Kobe.
All things considered, Bryant will forever be regarded as one of the best players to play the game of basketball and unarguably had the most similar playing style as MJ. Still, he definitely didn’t surpass Jordan in the all-time rankings.
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