On Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. After the two made free throws, the Timberwolves organization stopped the game to honor him with the game ball.
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To many, Kobe is the closest thing to Jordan fans will ever see. One person who believes that is Indiana Pacer star Paul George who called Kobe the second coming of Jordan according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
It’s so hard to compare anyone to Michael, but I think it’s fair to say Kobe is the second coming of MJ,” said Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, who grew up watching Bryant while playing for Knight High in Palmdale. “Kobe has transcended the league the same way I felt Michael did.”
Like many of today’s stars, George grew up watching Bryant grow from high school phenom to one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. The debate between Jordan and Kobe has never been more fierce, but Kobe has continually insisted that he is not obsessed with passing Jordan.
Kobe and George have always had a great relationship as well. George wore the number 24 because he idolized Bryant while growing up in Palmdale, CA. Kobe even reached out to George just hours after his gruesome leg injury to offer George support during that trying time.
While Kobe has his share of detractors, his NBA peers have nothing but respect for him.
[divide]Kobe Bryant Passes Michael Jordan On NBA All-Time Scoring List