The comparisons between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are limitless. Both won numerous championships under Phil Jackson. Both were two of the game's most unstoppable scorers. Both possessed a streak of hyper-competitiveness that was so relentless it bordered on insanity. And both have tremendous respect for the other's place in the NBA pantheon.
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The Black Mamba and His Airness are being compared to each other even more than usual recently, given that Bryant just passed MJ to move into third place on the league's all-time scoring list. The Lakers played the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day Thursday (they lost handily), and Bryant spoke to reporters about the impact Jordan had on him, and how he felt about surpassing his points tally.
“[Passing Jordan on the points list] was more of a thankful feeling to Michael and the players who came before because I’ve learned so much from them,” Bryant said, via the Chicago Tribune. “And I don’t say that lightly. I’ve literally just stolen (stuff) from them — like spin moves and pull-ups. It’s not me passing these players. It’s us.”
Jordan was just as gregarious towards Bryant's accomplishment as the latter was towards him. The night Bryant broke his points mark, MJ released a statement publicly praising Bryant's "passion" for the game and his insatiable work ethic. Kobe also got a personal message from Jordan to "go get Karl," referring to Karl Malone, who sits at number two on the same list.
Michael Jordan Praises Kobe's 'Passion' and 'Work Ethic'
Bryant's remarks that he 'stole' moves from Jordan isn't just respectful lip service. Thanks to some amazing video mash-ups, you can actually see just how many plays of Kobe's career are carbon copies of a previous Jordan maneuver.
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