Kobe Bryant was in a class of his own, although it cannot be denied that he looked up and got some moves from the legendary Michael Jordan. It made perfect sense since both were from different eras and had different journeys to becoming NBA players.
In the 1998 All-Star Game, Jordan and Bryant received colossal attention. MJ was not 100% healthy but had to deal with the 19-year-old Kobe. Bryant hardly cared about MJ's condition and played extremely hard against him. That earned the respect of Jordan, who admitted he liked the second-year players' attitude.
The similarity between MJ and Kobe started in 1998
Jordan went on to win the 1998 ASG MVP award for leading the East over the West. However, most felt that Bryant could have won the award if George Karl hadn't limited his playing time in that game. Regardless of what could have been, Kobe was hardly affected by it. For him, playing his first All-Star game was a dream come true, and he was just there at Madison Square Garden to have fun.
Unfortunately, some of those in attendance saw it differently. Aware that Jordan was in his last season with the Bulls , some felt it was a test to see if Kobe deserved to succeed in "His Airness."
Bryant spent a great deal studying Jordan, hoping to get as much as he could from the six-time NBA champion. Aware of that, MJ even once joked that if one player could beat him in a one-on-one , it would be the "Black Mamba."
"I don't think I would lose, other than to Kobe Bryant, because he steals all of my moves," Jordan stated in jest.
Malone thought there would never be another MJ
While their games shared similarities, their narratives are different. Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz stressed this after the 1998 ASG.
" There won't be another Michael. I think everybody should let Kobe be Kobe, and that's the way you've got to leave it," Malone stated via the New York Times .
True enough, Bryant worked hard and went on to create his narrative. He partnered with Shaquille O'Neal to deliver three NBA titles to LA (2000 to 2010). When the two NBA legends feuded, Bryant would work even harder. It took a while, but Bean eventually proved he could lead the Lakers to titles even if there was a change-up. Those NBA crowns came in 2009 and 2010.
Jordan and Bryant remain in the GOAT debates to this day. Opinions were voiced on who was the better player between the two icons. Regardless, both had different runs in different eras and will forever remain NBA legends.
Related: Karl Malone's "standing offer' to knuckle up" with Kobe Bryant: "If something’s got to go down, I’m not playing fair"
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