Kobe Bryant: ‘Always Welcomed The Comparison’ To Michael Jordan

Corey Hansford
2 Min Read

Bryant talks with Jordan

For the majority of his career, Kobe Bryant has been compared to Michael Jordan. It makes sense given the fact that both are shooting guards, built similarly, with an unrivaled passion towards winning and being the best.

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Kobe opened up about his relationship with Jordan to Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding, callng him a big brother to him. As far as the constant comparisons to Jordan, Bryant said that he welcomes them:

I’ve always welcomed the comparison to Michael if it’s in competitive spirit or in terms of records that I may set. I’ve always been cool with that. To be in that kind of company is…is…is…crazy, for lack of a better term. Rare air.”

Despite welcoming the comparisons, Kobe said that there is one thing that has always bothered him in regards to those:

The thing that I always bristled at was the notion that I learned everything that I know from Michael. That’s just not true. Hakeem Olajuwon deserves a lot of credit; Jerry West deserves a lot of credit. Oscar Robertson deserves a lot of credit. I really was a student of the game and watched everybody.”

Kobe grew up watching the game and always studied all of the greats. He has spoken on moves he learned from watching players like West, Robertson, and Elgin Baylor and his work with Hakeem Olajuwon has noticeably improved his work in the post, and led to others working with Olajuwon as well.

Jordan made a comment once that the only person he might lose to one-on-one was Kobe Bryant because he ‘steals all my moves.’ Bryant would argue that point, but the comparisons between the two will never end, especially while Kobe is still thriving in the league.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
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