Michael Jordan didn't hesitate when asked to pick between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James on who is the superior player.
Jordan is widely deemed to be the greatest NBA player of all time, with six championships to his name with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990's.
Bryant proved to be the heir to Jordan's throne, winning five NBA titles and collecting two finals MVPs during a glittering 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
There was a brief crossover on the court as they squared off eight times - with the late Bryant winning on five occasions.
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James, a four-time NBA champion and the record point-scorer in NBA history with 41,837, is also well in the GOAT conversation thanks to his heroics and longevity.
Also wearing the No.23 shirt, 'King' became the next face of the NBA and the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat star has an admirer in Jordan.
However, he explained why Bryant will always be ahead of James in his mind.
“I mean, that’s a tough one. I would say… Kevin Durant," Jordan joked back in 2013.
He continued: “In terms of the dominance of the game of basketball, at this stage it’s LeBron. Championship-wise Kobe Bryant.
“He wants it so bad and he’s willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a guy. Guarding a point guard at the age of 34, playing 38 minutes, and 40 minutes. It’s ludicrous.
“I think this is what he’s battling with. It is what it is. He’s cursed as much as I am. If you had to pick between the two that would be a tough choice, and five [players] beat one.”
Jordan and Bryant's friendship
Jordan and Bryant grew to become close friends and 'MJ' gave a tearful tribute at his memorial service at the Staples Center in 2020 after he died in a helicopter crash.
“When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died," Jordan explained.
“Maybe it surprised people … but we were very close friends. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe.”
On their relationship, Jordan added that he "wanted to be the best big brother that I could be" to Bryant.
Jordan revealed the heartbreaking final exchange between them prior to Kobe's tragic passing in the helicopter accident which also claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
"This tequila is awesome," Kobe texted, as per ESPN's Jackie MacMullan.
"Thank you, my brother," Jordan replied.
"Yes, sir. Family good?" Kobe said.
"All good. Yours?"
"All good."
"Happy holidays," Jordan texted back, "and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!"
"I added that little crying/laughing emoji," Jordan chuckled.
"Ah, back at you, man," Kobe wrote. "Hey, coach, I'm sitting on the bench right now, and we're blowing this team out. 45-8."
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Chicago Bulls, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant
Josh Lawless