February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Michael Jordan is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Michael Jordan is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The world saw Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant sharing the paint less than it should have. But Horace Grant revived some of the nostalgia.
The former Chicago Bulls star was one of those three players who got to play with both of these two legends during his career.
And, in a recent interview with AirJordanChronicles, Grant opened up about his experience and the similarities between Jordan and Bryant.
"What made MJ different was just the passion, tenacity, and the will that he had for his craft, the game. And in terms of making us better players, making us better teammates”, Grant noted.
January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) shakes hands with Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24, right) after the game at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) shakes hands with Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24, right) after the game at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Grant played with MJ from 1987 to 1994 for the Bulls. Later on, he shared the hardwood with Bryant from 2000 to 2004 in a Lakers jersey. Having known both, he was able to spot MJ's ethics and passion that Bryant also possessed.
“If I had to compare the two, the same passion, the same work ethic, the no-nonsense type of, put your hard hat on and you go out and do it and make your teammates better. And that was Kobe Bryant”, he added.
However, even Bryant did not match MJ’s mindset. “So, if I had to choose one, it would be Kobe Bryant, similar to MJ, but with MJ’s mindset, I don’t see no one else”, the star confirmed.
But, same or not, Jordan’s bond with Bryant was more than special. Something that the 63-year-old legend has admitted so many times.
Michael Jordan on Kobe Bryant
The world saw Michael Jordan break down on February 24, 2020. During Kobe’s memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jordan’s 11-minute speech told everything that the world needed to know about these two.
“When Kobe Bryant d***, a piece of me d***”, a crying Jordan said. “He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be. As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”
Entering the league at 17, Bryant’s only goal was to take down Jordan in a 1-on-1. What followed was the younger one making late-night calls and texts seeking game advice from the older one. It did not take time for them to move from “close friends” to brothers.
While the “who’s best” debate buzzes around, one truth remains at the crux of it. That some things go beyond the perimeter of a basketball court, and Kobe and Jordan lived it.
Would you agree? Comment your thoughts.
Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Joyita Das