Why Did Michael Jordan Call Kobe Bryant His Little Brother?
Follow Us
For any NBA player, befriending Michael Jordan can be like entering a sanctum. MJ, with his wisdom, holds the power to change lives just by giving an advice or two. So when Kobe Bryant entered the draft, he was hell bent on spending time around the greatest in the game.
From Day 1, KB never allowed anyone to underestimate or sideline him as a rookie. He had a competitive attitude just like his idol and would often keep the ball possession to himself to prove that. All this, and much more, led to His Highness getting impressed by the Mamba. But how did they build a brotherly bond?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kobe Bryant, a brother like none other
Once in a monologue, Michael Jordan had expressed, “Maybe it surprised people that Kobe and I were very close friends.” Certainly, this was a surprising revelation given their on-court dynamics. The world remembers how they could trash-talk in an All-Star game and how Kobe would do everything to guard MJ while the latter would still manage a jumper.
But Kobe was a different breed, a real student of the game. So this had an impressive effect on MJ, who always recognised true passion. As Air Jordan had detailed, “for whatever reason, always tends to get in your stuff. Your closet, your shoes, everything. It was a nuisance, if I can say that word. But that nuisance turned into love over a period of time.”
Trending
Heat Injury Report: Latest On Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson Ahead of Game 2 vs Celtics
April 24, 2024 02:46 PM EDT
What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees
April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT
“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment
April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT
Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer
March 16, 2024 06:41 PM EDT
Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto
April 22, 2024 03:36 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
These were early signs of a friendship in-the-making. In the documentary, The Last Dance’s Episode 5, it showed how MJ told Tim Hardaway in the locker room that Bryant was built for greatness.
Charles Barkley Disturbed Michael Jordan Fans With This Hot LeBron James Take
When Michael Jordan gave in to KB’s persistence
The Black Mamba wanted to learn from the best. That’s why he wouldn’t think twice before making the Lakers team bus wait for him to first complete his talks with MJ post games.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As MJ added, “He used to call me, text me 11:30, 2:30, 3 in the morning. At first, it was an aggravation, but then it turned into a certain passion. This kid had passion like you would never know.”
The thing was, picking MJ’s brain was no delicate task. One had to really have perseverance and show the eagerness of how badly they wanted to learn. And while none could really keep the pace, Kobe persisted and soaked the knowledge like a sponge.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
So it was during this mentoring that Kobe became MJ’s little brother and his loss forced tears out of a man as tough as the 6x champion. Certainly, Kobe couldn’t match that achievement of six rings, but he gained the GOAT’s respect in the process.
Watch this story: LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Other NBA Stars Who Got Trolled by Memes