When Kobe Bryant was to face Michael Jordan for the first time, he wanted to destroy the Bulls star. It was something he said in a podcast after his career ended.

A game between Jordan and Bryant was not something that happened very often. Bryant came into the NBA when Jordan was towards the end of his career. Jordan was a superstar. Bryant was a teenager who aspired to become such a superstar.

Bryant always wanted to play for Los Angeles Lakers. As a child, he admired Magic Johnson and wanted to become a Laker one day. Yet, as years passed and Jordan created a dynasty with the Bulls,  Bryant’s style of play inclined more towards Jordan. And hence, it was always going to be exciting when Michael met Bryant.

1998 was the year when Jordan met Bryant for the last time in a Bulls jersey. Jordan dropped 31 in the game but the Lakers emerged victorious. Bryant registered 20 points in the game coming off the bench. The game showed why the two players were very similar.

With Jordan announcing retirement after winning the 1997/98 title, the final battle between Jordan and Bryant was over. However, Jordan came back in 2001 and played two seasons for Washington Wizards.

Kobe Bryant was a “little brother” Michael Jordan

Their initial meeting might have started with some trash-talking, but the two always maintained a good relationship. Byrant had always been vocal about how much Jordan helped him grow as a player. After his 20-year career, he left behind a legacy that was comparable to Jordan’s.

For Jordan, Bryant was like a little brother. In a memorial service held in Staples Center at Los Angeles for Bryant after his death, Jordan was emotional upon losing his little brother.

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“You know, all of us have brothers, sisters — little brothers, little sisters for whatever reason always tend 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 time,” a tearful Jordan said of Bryant during the memorial.