“MJ just told me Kobe’s the only one to have done the work to deserve comparison.” Phil Jackson, the coach of both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant at different times, wrote in his book about the similarities between the two. Once His Airness retired for the second time, it was the Lakers who went to a three-peat. Featuring the duo of Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal, however, the latter left in 2004. And one former champion recently stated how MJ unintentionally played a small part in their feud at the time.

Brendan Haywood was a teammate of the 6x NBA Champion during the Wizards era. “I had MJ on the team so Kobe was trying to prove to MJ who he was so a lot of times Shaq wouldn’t getting the ball like that.”

The former NBA champion with the Mavs continued, “One time we played them in LA. I want to say Kobe dropped 40, he dropped like, you can fact-check me somewhere, between 30 and 40 before halftime.” Kobe scored 19 points in the first quarter and ended the half with a massive contribution of 42 points.

The halftime score was 48-59 in favor of the home team Lakers. With 8 of 11 3-pointers made, the crowd at the formerly called Staples Center erupted with joy. It was also the final game of Michael Jordan at that court since he was retiring and he started the game hot. He hit the first 4 shots and scored 9 of the Wizards’ first 11 points. He ended the game with 23 points and was nowhere near Black Mamba’s total of 55 points.

In that game, the 5x NBA Champion only had 3 assists, so Haywood rightly pointed out that Kobe Bryant not passing the ball to Shaquille O’Neal. He also explained that Michael Jordan was not guarding the Lakers #8. “It was actually on Jerry Stackhouse,” via Run Your Race podcast. It felt like the LA superstar took the baton and proved why he was the next heir to the throne. But Haywood was not the only one to reveal facts about the Bulls Icon.

Former players also compare Michael Jordan’s role in Kobe Bryant’s gameplay

The performances from 18x All-Star time and time again showcased his will to win. Which many people pointed out was very similar to MJ’s drive to win the games.

“Kobe Bryant was the face of the league. And he was the avatar of Michael Jordan.” Adrian Kirilenko revealed on Knuckleheads, “I think he is the closest one who got like Mike. It’s like so many similarities, so many way they play, so many accolades, the way they move.”

Even Shaquille O’Neal pointed out that players feared both MJ and Kobe whenever they were at the opposite end. “I’ve heard players say, including myself, ‘I feared Mike [Michael Jordan].’ I’ve heard players in your generation say they feared Kobe.” MJ-Kobe developed a bond outside of the court too.

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“I don’t get five championships here without him (Michael Jordan) because he guided me so much and gave me so much great advice.” In the Last Dance series, the Lakers legend explained the role of ‘big brother’ Michael Jordan for helping him throughout his career. And even despised any comparisons between the two.

But one thing that was evident from their last duel was the fire inside Kobe, where he wanted to prove to the world that the league was in safe hands with him being the face.