Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant shared a very close relationship with each other. Jordan was at his best when Bryant entered the league. And as Jordan would leave the NBA, Kobe Bryant approached him to get some advice on finding success in the league.
Bryant and Jordan became very close, and have often referred to each other as their brother. But like most brothers, the two held a healthy competitive spirit against each other.
Kobe Bryant made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2018. During the interview, Jimmy Kimmel asked Kobe about his relationship with Michael Jordan, and when was the last time he met him.
Kobe revealed they had met for dinner a few months prior. And Jordan was arguing over who would win between Jordan’s 1991 prime against Kobe’s prime. Kobe hilariously told MJ to enjoy his salad and not be bothered by the idea of losing to him (2:01 onwards).
“(The) last time we had dinner he was talking about ‘My year in 1991 versus your peak year, I would’ve kicked your a**’. I said ‘Mike, come on now, enjoy the salad. We both know that’s not gonna happen’.”
Kobe wasn’t the only person to have experienced Michael Jordan’s competitive nature. Actor Will Smith revealed in the past that Jordan would try to compete with him over everything, including who could finish a glass of water the fastest.
Jordan didn’t care what the environment or setting was, he would compete with whoever was in front of him at all times.
MJ’s relationship with Kobe Bryant was incredibly special. Jordan revealed recently that while he found Kobe annoying at the start, the two eventually grew very close to each other, and he grew to respect Bryant.
When Kobe passed away, Jordan gave an incredibly touching speech at his memorial service. Jordan also admitted that he can’t bring himself to delete the old text messages that Bryant and he shared in the past, as it was too difficult.
