Kobe Bryant wasn’t a fan of Michael Jordan‘s “Black Jesus” nickname. “I’m like, what the f**k? Black who? I’m gonna call him f**king Mike. That’s his f**king name.” It happened when the Lakers’ legend was enquiring with the 76ers staff about guarding MJ. In an old interview, Kobe revealed it would often work out with the 76ers. But was surprised to hear them call Jordan by his nickname, despite forming a brotherly bond with the Chicago Bulls legend. Similarly, even Carmelo Anthony recently rejected the famous moniker.

“For example, like Melo got to learn with Mike. I don’t even got to see his last name.” Co-host ‘The Kid Mero’ was explaining the lessons that Carmelo Anthony learned from MJ. Guest on the show, Jay Pharoah, mentioned “Black Jesus” to make it clear that the topic was about Michael Jordan. The former Knicks star quickly said “Black Cat,” and further explained what he meant by it.

“Black Jesus was, you know, somebody different right there. Black Jesus is somebody different,” via 7PM in Brooklyn Podcast. Maybe Carmelo Anthony was hinting at a player who was also a Knicks legend and famously called “Black Jesus.” Even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once suggested that there was only one player with the famous moniker.

“I didn’t know who he was. And he had his own cheering section. He came up and there were people around talking about ‘Jesus! Jesus!’ And I’m like, ‘Wait a minute!‘” the Lakers legend recalled once. Abdul-Jabbar was speaking about Earl Monroe, the Knicks legend, who was responsible for the franchise’s last championship back in 1973.

Because both had their on-court battles, it is obvious why Kareem referred to Monroe as “Black Jesus.” But it did not stop Michael Jordan from using the moniker, especially when somebody was trying to get under his skin.

Michael Jordan once called himself the “Black Jesus”

In his rookie year, Reggie Miller had the opportunity to face the Bulls for an exhibition game. By ’87, Michael Jordan truly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. That’s why the exhibition game wasn’t something that MJ was looking forward to. But the rookie Pacers legend couldn’t stop gloating after a few shots during the game.

“You’re Michael Jordan? The guy who walks on water?,” Miller recalled saying to Jordan on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2015. “I remember him walking off the court. He was like, ‘don’t ever talk trash to Black Jesus.’ That’s when I stopped referring to him as Michael Jordan, and I always referred to him either as ‘Jordan,’ ‘Black Jesus,’ or ‘that black cat.’ I never called him ‘Michael Jordan’ after that.’”

‘His Airness’ did respond to that because Miller had 10 points in the game and MJ had 4 at halftime. But in the end, Michael Jordan scored a total of 44 and Miller could only take his tally to 12. “So he outscored me 40-2.” Even though the Bulls legend used the moniker, it was only after the trash talk from the then-Pacers rookie.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”