Steve Kerr , currently the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, had a rare chance to play during the eras of two legendary NBA icons, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Most are familiar with how the former Arizona Wildcat played alongside MJ with the Chicago Bulls from 1996-1998 and won three NBA rings. He would go on to move to the San Antonio Spurs and play against Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers shortly after.
Kobe was like Mike
In May 2001, Kerr was part of the Spurs team that was battling the Lakers for the Western Conference title. However, a big boon for the Texas squad was Kobe, who had blossomed into one of the big names in the league.
That was evident in Game One of the WCF. Bryant went berserk, scorching the hoops for 45 points to lead LA to a 104-90 win over the Spurs. Kerr could not help but marvel at the evolution of the ‘Black Mamba,’ admitting Bryant’s run had reminded him about his former Bulls teammate.
“It was just like Michael used to do," Kerr told USA Today via UPI . "When we'd be ahead on the road, and the home team started coming back, he would just take over. That's what Kobe did to us. He sucks the air out of the building. He's the closest thing to Michael I've seen,” the 6-foot-3 guard added.
Those comments aligned with those of another person who worked with the two best shooting guards in history. Phil Jackson, who had the privilege of coaching both NBA legends, shared that Jordan himself told him that Bryant was the only player deserving of being compared to him .
“Kobe's ultimate competition is MJ. That's why MJ watches him. MJ made people think what he was doing wasn't human. Ditto the Kobester,” Jackson said in his book “ From Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson .”
With Bryant rolling, the Spurs were among the teams left puzzled. How do you stop someone who could score at will, especially in a crucial stretch of the season?
It further created matchup problems, as the Spurs also had to contend with Shaquille O’Neal. Double-teaming ‘The Diesel’ would not be easy. If that happened, it would allow Bean more space to go on one-on-one plays.
Related: Rasheed Wallace on the problems young Kobe gave him: "If I didn't know him or didn't love him, I would try to hurt that dude"
No stopping Kobe
Derek Anderson and Antonio Daniels were given the task of trying to limit Kobe’s production. It was impossible to completely shut him down. Hence, the next best thing was to make it tougher for the 13th overall pick of the 1996 Draft to get his points.
“He's going to get his 35, but we have to make it tougher for him,” Kerr added.
Despite the effort, the Spurs were unable to clamp down on Kobe. He averaged 33.3 points, along with 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in that series. Los Angeles swept San Antonio in the WCF and booked a seat in the 2001 NBA Finals. The Lakers would go on to win it all, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games for their 13th NBA crown.
Jordan and Kobe did it their way in their respective eras. Although comparisons and debates on who was better continue to this day, there is no doubt that both are bonafide NBA legends.
Related: "I think he taught Michael Jordan how to play" - Shawn Kemp credits controversial ex-Bull for MJ's growth as a player
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