Image via Complex Original
By now, we hope that you're familiar with Youssef Hannoun's work. Since August 2012, the 20-year-old graphic design student who currently lives in Cairo, Egypt has created not one, not two, but three different "Identical Plays" videos that feature Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant pulling off a variety of the same moves. And while there have been plenty of people who have tried to compare Air Jordan and the Black Mamba in the past, no one has done it quite like Hannoun, who is a diehard Kobe and Lakers fan. His videos really bring the similarities between MJ and Kobe to life and show just how much they have resembled one another on the court over the years.
After watching the third installment of Hannoun's "Identical Plays" video series earlier today—it's called "Identical Plays: The Last Dance" and is (probably) going to be the last "Identical Plays" video Hannoun releases—we decided to reach out to the creator of the amazing videos to find out why he started putting the MJ/Kobe videos together in the first place, how long it typically takes for him to create one, and, maybe most importantly, which player he thinks is better after watching so many of their highlights.
Outside of YouTube, did you use any other video sources to watch highlights?
No, I found all of the plays I used on YouTube.
It seems like people have really enjoyed your latest "Identical Plays" video, but you've already said that it's going to be the last one. Any chance the reaction you've received will get you to make one more?
I think this is the last one. Unless, of course, Kobe gives me enough footage over the next two years to allow me to make a fourth. But I wouldn't make a fourth video unless it's going to be better than the last three. I'm never going to disappoint.
Any chance you'll move away from MJ and Kobe videos and try making clips featuring other players?
I've thought about putting together other types of NBA-related videos. If people have suggestions, I would for sure get to work on it.
Okay, I have to ask: You've spent hours and hours and hours watching MJ and Kobe highlights so I think you officially qualify as an expert on both players. Who's better?
They both have something over the other. Kobe is a better shooter than MJ, but MJ could attack the basket better than Kobe ever could. Other than that, it's really hard to say. If we're talking about accomplishments, then MJ. If we're talking individual skill, like 1-on-1, then Kobe would win six out of 10 games.
You can check out Youssef Hannoun's YouTube page here and follow him on Twitter here.
