Kobe Bryant offered the ultimate answer to the question about who was a better player between him and Michael Jordan.
During Bryant’s interview in the documentary series “The Last Dance,” he told his fans that he wanted them to respect Jordan because of the influence the Chicago Bulls icon had on him.
“I truly hate having discussions about who would win one-on-one,” Bryant said in the interview. “You heard fans saying, ‘Hey Kobe, you’d beat Michael one-on-one,’ and I feel like, ‘Yo, what you get from me is from him.
“I won’t get five championships here without him because he guided me so much. He gave me so much great advice.”
It’s evident to basketball fans that Bryant patterned his style of play, demeanor and approach to the game after Jordan’s.
Bryant’s five titles played a large role in earning him an induction to the Hall of Fame this summer. Not surprisingly, in an interview with Complex Sports back in 2017, Bryant said that he preferred Jordan to welcome him to the Hall of Fame.
“In terms of who might present, for me it’s two people: Michael Jordan or Phil Jackson,” Bryant said. “They’ve been the greatest mentors, not only in my career as an athlete, but also as a person. And what I might say is just a lot of thank yous. ‘Cause I’ve had a lotta help along the way. A lotta lotta help.”
During Bryant’s memorial service earlier this year, Jordan spoke fondly of the former Los Angeles Lakers star, who he saw as a little brother.
“The Last Dance” interview was perhaps one of the last interviews Bryant gave before his tragic death on Jan. 26.
