It's no secret that Kobe Bryant wants to be Michael Jordan. Not that we blame him. MJ is, after all, the GOAT (sorry, no arguments over this issue will be allowed!). But dude has basically swagger-jacked just about everything MJ ever did. He walks like him, talks like him, uses his mannerisms. Hell, we wouldn't be surprised if you told us Kobe attempts to catch the flu before playoff games so that he can try and replicate Mike's legendary performance back in 1997.
So, Kobe must be thrilled to hear that it sounds like His Airness is finally recognizing him as his equal. Writer Roland Lazenby is currently working on a book with MJ. And, earlier this week, he sent out a series of tweets indicating that Jordan seems to agree with all of the people who compare Kobe to him.
"I never said Kobe was better than MJ," Lazenby wrote. "MJ just told me Kobe's the only one to have done the work, to deserve comparison."
It's not exactly the highest praise we've ever heard someone give another person. But, hey: If you're Kobe, you're happy right now. And, if you're a Kobe hater? Well, we're sorry to have to be the ones to break this news to you. The comments section is all yours.
[via Ball Don't Lie]
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Jay January 18th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
If Kobe can win a ring without a true dominant big man...Basically if the Lakers can win this year without a Dwight Howard or someone of that caliber. I would give Kobe the nod that yes he finally is comparable to MJ. MJ took Bill Wennington, Luc Longley into championship territory. Bill Cartwright is comparable to someone such as McRoberts on the Lakers. He made them winners. Now Kobe you do the same.
Freddy J January 18th, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Jay I don't understand what you just said. Granted Kobe had Shaq and now has Pau Gasol, he was a huge part of each championship team and they would not have won any of his 5 rings without him. Jordan had Pippen and never won without him, not to mention he had Phil Jackson for every single championship. Dominant big men come and go in the league, not to take anything away from Jordan, but if Kobe can get the Lakers to the Finals even this year I put him right on that level, cuz their team is horrendous.
william January 18th, 2012 at 02:03 PM
in response to jay, i get your point. but can you please tell me who would be the scottie pippen of this lakers squad? metta world peace? pau? haha try again. it would be more impressive if kobe wins with this lakers team. but i dont see them getting past the thunder in the playoffs
Dude January 18th, 2012 at 05:18 PM
Uhhhh who the Eff is Chris Yuscavage??? What kind of article is this?
bullz fan January 18th, 2012 at 07:47 PM
KOBE IS SIMPLY THE GREATEST I'VE BEEN SAYIN THIS SINCE I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE GAME OF BASKETBALL SO WHAT IF YOU THINK HE COPIES MIKE HE STILL A BEAST IN HE KNOW HOW TO GET IT DONE ......HIS RESUME SPEAKS FOR IT SELF ENOUGH SAID .......KOBE U DA FUCKIN BEST ...........COMING FROM A DIE HEART BULLS FAN
Eric January 18th, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Ok listen, I have been a lakers fan ever since I was old enough to sit up. I am 37 now, and I have been a laker fan through the good and the really bad! I love KB man, and I think he is ONE of the greats no doubt. And let me say that I hated Jordan!!! he put Magic and the showtime out of the playoffs for goodness sake, but I have to say this. If you think Kobe is as good as MJ, then obviously you need to go back and watch some old Bulls games. I mean there is nothing that I would love any more than to be able to honestly say that I think Kobe is the greatest, but come on people......it's not true, and if you are honest with yourself you know it too. Jordan is the greatest of all time.....case closed.
David Rosario January 19th, 2012 at 11:14 AM
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Kd4mvp January 19th, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Kobe is simply the Jordan of this era! He isn't better than mj. Just as magic Johnson was in his era! And magic had talent bigmen on his roster. Btw Bynum over Dwight any day! Kobe haters should just respect the hard work he puts in and quit hating. Lebron will get the same shine when someone younger puts up the same numbers LBJ did when he was in his 20's.
James January 19th, 2012 at 08:54 PM
Hardcore Laker and KB fan here. Kobe will NEVER be better than MJ, true enough, but if you say that he's not comparable then you're simply a hater. If MJ is a 10 then Kobe's a 9. Thats comparable. MJ doesn't kiss ass and rarely gives props (he's no Scottie). And if you think that Kobe is better then go watch some old Bulls games, check Jordan's number then shoot yourself in the face. P.S. Dwight is better than Bynum if only because of durability. Bynum has a better offensive repetoire though. Numbers don't lie.
sotiris January 23rd, 2012 at 04:14 PM
The next Michael Jordan discussion is a long one. I believe the following analysis covers me: http://nbaphilosophy.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/what-is-the-next-michael-jordan/
Billy Garcia February 6th, 2012 at 11:42 PM
So Michael Jordan comes out and says Kobe Bryant is the only one that can be compared to him......