‘Jealous’ Michael Jordan Makes Dark Admission on Dealing With Young Kobe Bryant’s Quick Rise

Kobe Bryant had always wanted to be like Michael Jordan. Bryant was drafted by the Lakers when he was 17. Not too long after did he win 3 consecutive titles for the Lakers. This all started by following in Michael Jordan’s footsteps. Kobe wanted to be better than Jordan. When Kobe was 19, he had played a great game against Jordan, which had Michael respect Bryant.

But it wasn’t the same from the start. Kobe wasn’t even a starter for the Lakers in the initial seasons. Though everything changed after the All-Star game.

Michael Jordan didn’t think much of Bryant

In the 1998 All-Star game, Kobe was voted as a starter for the West. Michael knew he was going to come after him. Though Jordan wasn’t going to hold back, he thought less of Kobe.

“Look, I know this young kid is going to come at me from L.A., he’s gonna come at me—and I’m not going to hold back.”

Bryant finished with 18 points, including a highlight, 360 dunk for the crowd. Whereas Michael put up 23 points and grabbed the All-Star MVP as well. Though the Bulls had played against the Lakers earlier, and Kobe went off for 33 points. It was that game in which Kobe asked Jordan about his fadeaway move.

29 Apr 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls in action against Jason Williams #55 of the New Jersey Nets during the NBA Playoffs round 3 game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Bulls defeated the Nets 116-101.

Jordan acting like a big brother said, “If you need anything, just call…”

Michael Jordan didn’t want to educate Kobe Bryant

Kobe did call Jordan now and then. And Jordan did reply, giving him all the details he needed. But sometimes Michael questioned himself on why would he tell everything to Kobe.

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“At times, I thought, “Why am I giving away all this information that he’s going to use right against me?” No matter how I’d start the conversation, he knew the answer. It wasn’t like I was telling him anything that he didn’t know. I think I was more or less confirming it.”

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Kobe didn’t only ask about basketball, but also stuff that was important off the court. Kobe did use Jordan’s move on him a lot of times. Though Michael did regret telling so much to him. In the end, it was just brotherly love.

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