This is what the GOAT Michael Jordan had to say when asked to pick between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Michael Jordan didn’t hesitate when asked to pick between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Widely acknowledged as the greatest NBA player of all time, Jordan claimed six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and transformed basketball’s global perception.
The debate over the second greatest NBA star is ongoing, with legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Magic Johnson all in the conversation. In modern times, LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant are frequently mentioned.
Jordan once shared his opinion on the matter. In 2013, when asked to choose between Kobe and LeBron, Jordan jokingly responded, “I mean, that’s a tough one. I would say… Kevin Durant.”
He explained further, “In terms of the dominance of the game of basketball, at this stage it’s LeBron. Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant. He wants it so bad and is willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a point guard at the age of 34, playing 38, 40 minutes. It’s ludicrous.”
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Jordan added, “I think this is what he’s battling with. It is what it is. He’s cursed as much as I am. Choosing between the two is tough, but five [championships] beat one.”
Bryant, who secured five NBA titles with the Lakers, and Jordan shared a close friendship until Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
At Bryant’s memorial service, a tearful Jordan expressed, “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died.”
“Maybe it surprised people, but we were very close friends. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between him and me. I just wanted to talk about Kobe,” Jordan said.
Jordan also mentioned that Bryant often sought his advice throughout his career.
“At first, it was an aggravation,” Jordan admitted. “But then it turned into a certain passion. This kid had passion like you would never know. As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”
