Kobe Bryant told Michael Jordan He Could Kick His *** One on One

[CaribBreeze]

In his new book “Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success”, Phil Jackson tells a great story from a meeting he helped arrange between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant during the 1999-2000 season. Kobe, who we know thinks quite highly of his own abilities, told MJ (who had retired from the NBA for a second time) that he could take him one-on-one when they saw each other in Chicago that year. In the book, Jackson writes that Jordan was a considerably superior player and leader to Bryant.

Per the LA Times: “It’s pretty easy to figure out who Jackson was referencing in the following passage: ‘In his mind he had it all figured out. His goal was to become the greatest basketball player of all time. And he was certain he knew what he had to do to get there. Why should he listen to anybody else? If he followed my advice and cut back his scoring, he’d fall short of his ultimate goal.

How was I going to get through to this kid?’ It wasn’t Jordan. As a young 20-something, Bryant told Lakers teammates he wanted to win 10 rings but was a ‘stubborn, hard-headed learner,’ Jackson wrote. [...] Jackson couldn’t help but include a humorous face-to-face meeting between Bryant and Jordan in his first season as the Lakers’ coach.

‘Kobe was hell-bent on surpassing Jordan as the greatest player in the game. His obsession with Michael was striking,’ Jackson said. ‘When we played in Chicago that season, I orchestrated a meeting between the two stars, thinking that Michael might help shift Kobe’s attitude toward selfless teamwork. After they shook hands, the first words out of Kobe’s mouth were, ‘You know I can kick your ass one on one.’”

SLAM ONLINE | » Kobe Bryant Told Michael Jordan He Could Kick His Ass One on One

 

[Hammer]

Kobe sonned Jordan

 

[MoneyTron]

I preordered the book. Should be dope.

 

[CantStop]

that's my GAWD. Not only is he a confident gawd, he's a truthful gawd. Kobe dropping 55 on cheese eyes's dome was

 

[BrothaZay]

Da GOAT

Is this before or after Kobe dropped 33 on Jordan without even trying when he was fresh outta HS

 

[mozichrome]

how as soon as you meet the man you tell him you can kick his ass

 

[FTBS]

Not surprising at all. MJ probably grinned and started talking shyt back. Birds of a feather.

 

[Street Knowledge]

It would be really hard to beat prime Kobe in a game of one on one

 

[Brown Ant]

Our gawd is great

 

[MikelArteta]

sent from royalty via tapatalk

 

[Mook]

how as soon as you meet the man you tell him you can kick his ass

nikka he just beat mj to the punch xD

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[seemorecizzy]

why do ppl keep acting like jordan wasn't a ball hog too

 

[Luke Cage]

Jordan prolly said the same thing to dr J

 

[Silkk]

I preordered the book. Should be dope.

I loved his first one. when this dropping?

 

[Teal.]

If only i had this nikka confidence...