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Jackson: Kobe told MJ he would kick his ‘ass’
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated12 hours ago on April 18, 2024
Kobe Bryant has never hurt for confidence. And when you’re as accomplished as the Black Mamba, it’s hard to blame him. But despite five NBA championship rings, 15 All-Star appearances, and an MVP award, Bryant is still considered by many to be a lesser player than Michael Jordan.
During an interview with Fox Sports Live, Phil Jackson shared an anecdote from one of the first times Kobe and MJ met. After a Lakers game the year following Jordan’s second retirement in 1999, Jackson asked his former superstar in Chicago to talk to his new talisman in Los Angeles a little bit.
“Let’s meet in the chairman’s room after the game, I want you to talk to Kobe a little,” Jackson recalled asking Jordan. “I think if you convince him to just wait, just be patient allow the game to come to him … because the team kind of loses their offensive direction.”
Jackson led Jordan into the meeting room where Kobe was waiting.
