Bryant on the brink of surpassing Jordan’s point tally in the NBA…
READ MORE:
Kobe says discount big enough: Lakers star believes franchise can compete with cap space.
Kobe and Shaq enjoy reunion: (Video) Former teammates greet each other ahead of Lakers game.
Kobe downplays Howard feud: Bryant insists heat of battle on court is to blame.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has spoken of the great relationship he has with Michael Jordan and considers him a big brother.
Bryant is just 127 points behind Jordan on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list and is expected to move past him in the coming weeks. However, he has revealed just how close he considers himself to Jordan and addressed previous suggestions that he took a lot from his game.
While fans will continue to be drawn into debates and arguments over who the better player is, Bryant spoke about his relationship with the man considered the ‘Greatest of All Time’.
“We hit it off very well. He was really like a big brother, and whether it’s because we see things in a similar way in terms of our competitive spirit or fire or whatever the case may be, there’s an understanding that we have—a connection that we have.
“I don’t know if he opened up with me more than he did with other players, I’m not sure. I don’t know if other players had the balls even to ask. But we have a really, really good relationship.”
Bryant added that critics who suggest that he learnt all of his moves from Jordan are wrong, and he cited various other Hall of Fame stars that he based his game on after being an ardent student of how it should be played through the years.
The likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson deserve credit for moulding Kobe into the player he has been and is today according to the man himself, but the Lakers legend insists that he welcomes the comparison to Jordan.
The NBA veteran believes that perhaps their similar competitive spirit is what makes them so alike, but he is humbled and privileged to be in that kind of company as he draws closer to the end of his playing days.
COMMENTS