In 2013, legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson released a new book titled "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success" which contains some of the most intriguing and controversial words in basketball. Obviously, this book is about his time when he coached Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls (6 rings) and the Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal-Kobe Bryant era (5 rings). One controversial content is abut Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, two of the best players he coached. In the book, Jackson said that he arranged a meeting between the two players only to see the Los Angeles Lakers star telling the six-time NBA champ "You know I can kick your ass one on one.'"
Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison is a constant thing in the basketball world. For most fans, Michael Jordan is incomparable and lining the Black Mamba up on the same level as him is a disrespect to the four-time MVP. Kobe responded to these comparisons by saying comparing him to Michael Jordan is like comparing apples and oranges since they have different roles and different paths.
Now, after more than one year, Kobe Bryant finally spoke about the words from his former coach. Bleacher Report interviewed the Los Angeles Lakers star wherein they talked about his scoring milestone, comparison to Michael Jordan, and his relationship with him.
"Nah, that was a little mythology. I've never challenged Michael-or I've never initiated the challenge," said Kobe Bryant when asked about that 'kick-your-ass one-on-one' moment with Jordan that Jackson claimed on his book.
Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan Identical Plays
Kobe Bryant added that he learned from Michael Jordan and that he would never say such thing.
"With guys like him and guys who have come before me who I learned a lot from, like Jerry West, I would never initiate a challenge and say, 'I could do this to you.' I've learned so much from them. I wouldn't do that."
"But Michael likes to talk, too. I'm not the only one who likes to talk, right? The times that we have talked trash, I haven't been the one who has initiated. We just rib each other; we just kind of joke around about stuff. He knows who I am; I know who he is. Mutual respect."
For more on the Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan relationship, read more at Bleacher Report.
