The Human Highlight Film recognizes both legends as the best when it comes to mentality and competitive nature.
One of the most common comparisons in basketball over the past few decades has been between late, great Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan. In his 20 seasons with LA, Bryant closely modeled his game after the six-time NBA champion and always made it known to the public that he was biggest inspiration growing up.
Jordan is widely regarded by many as the greatest of all time, with current Lakers superstar LeBron James creeping up right behind him. It feels like in recent years, despite a historic career, less fans have mentioned Bryant’s name in those conversations. Former players on the other hand always make it a point to argue the Black Mamba’s case.
Atlanta Hawks legend Dominque Wilkins has been the most recent to glorify Bryant’s legacy. He joined the “Knuckleheads” podcast with hosts Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles and explained why the 18-time All-Star is the only player he places next to Jordan.
“I think the closest thing to him was Kobe,” said Wilkins. “People who played against Kobe, they know.”
Wilkins retired from the NBA in 1999 and he was able to witness a young Bryant play his first three seasons in the league. The high-flyer also played against Jordan in the prime years of his career and the two had a classic battle in the 1988 dunk contest.
The mentality in which both Bryant and Jordan approached each game was the main reason why Wilkins put them above everybody else. As the game expands in a more social media dominated era, he believes the two legendary shooting guards set the precedent for competitive nature.
“If you haven’t played against either one of them guys, you don’t realize how good they really were,” said Wilkins. “When you play against guys like that and you firsthand what they bring to the table, both of them was lethal. They was trying to cut your throat.”
The extent to which Bryant’s game reflected Jordan’s was truly remarkable, down to even the smallest details. Fans have found plays through years where it’s hard to tell the difference between who is who.
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