Kobe Bryant drew strong comparisons to Michael Jordan throughout his NBA career. The former Chicago Bulls great served as a source of motivation that helped lift Bryant to tremendously successful heights. Beyond that, the former Los Angeles Lakers star used a simple response to shut down Jordan’s legendary trash talk.
Kobe Bryant shared a brotherly relationship with Michael Jordan
Throughout Bryant‘s career, he maintained a strong connection to Jordan through his admiration and passion for the game.
The former Lakers great’s rise to stardom featured many comparisons to his idol throughout his illustrious career. Bryant used Jordan as a strong source of motivation and an olive branch to bring the most out of his talent. It led the two to foster a tremendously strong relationship that channeled a brotherly bond.
“He’s like my big brother. I truly hate having discussions about who would win 1-on-1. You hear fans saying ‘hey Kobe, you would be Michael 1-on-1.,” Bryant said in ESPN‘s Last Dance documentary. “What you get from me is from him. I don’t get five championships here without him because he guided me so much and gave me so much great advice.”
The respect and admiration were mutual between them that saw Bryant once shut down Jordan’s trash talk with ease.
Kobe Bryant silenced Michael Jordan’s trash talk with a cold-blooded response: ‘Remember who you are talking to’
Bryant and Jordan shared a unique relationship that extended far beyond any basketball court.
The bond only grew stronger through their shared passion for the game, leading them to engage in the inevitable discussion concerning who would beat the other in a one-on-one matchup. During an interview with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on The All The Smoke podcast in January 2020, Bryant revealed his blunt response that quickly silenced Jordan’s legendary trash talk.
“What he started the conversation with is, ‘Well I would have destroyed you,’” Bryant said. “I just said, ‘Listen just remember who you are talking to.’ Then he just started laughing saying ‘I’m just messing with you. I’m just messing with you.’ Then we just kind of moved on. It would have been fun.”
The former Bulls great was undoubtedly well aware of Bryant’s talent, while many of his tendencies and moves were his. Keep in mind, Jordan stated years ago that the former Lakers star was the only player he believes that could have beat him.
“That’s a good start. I don’t think I’ll lose,” Jordan during an interview with NBA 2K in 2014.” Other than Kobe Bryant because he steals all my moves.”
The five-time NBA champion was a student of the game that held the same mental approach. Those factors would have led to an entertaining matchup between two of the greatest players in NBA history. It’s a dream showdown that will never have an answer, but one that would have certainly lived up to the billing.
NBA legacies sit forever tied together
The 1-on-1 discussion aside, Bryant and Jordan played pivotal in shaping the game of basketball.
The passion for the craft certainly sat at the root of their relationship, allowing the two to create an everlasting bond. Bryant’s death left a void in many lives, including Jordan, who expressed the familial love that he shared with the Laker star.
Their legacies will remain forever tied as the two helped change the NBA forever. Beyond that, the debate will never end concerning who would win in a 1-on-1 matchup.
