Jordan Was Asked to Choose Between LeBron James or Kobe Bryant

Jordan Was Asked to Choose Between LeBron James or Kobe Bryant

  • The late Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James are two of NBA's greatest players
  • Both have won multiple NBA titles, scored many points, set almost unbreakable records and influenced millions
  • In 2013, Michael Jordan was asked to choose between the two icons, and he gave an answer you'd expect

Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

There's nothing that gets heated reactions from NBA fans than comparing NBA legends.

Michael Jordan and LeBron James have always been the main subjects in the NBA GOAT discussions.

The Chicago Bulls icon was asked to pick between the Los Angeles Lakers star and the late Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James faced each other many times in the NBA
Michael Jordan inspired LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Photos by Victor Decolongon and Jason Miller.
Source: UGC

James and Bryant have won everything in the NBA, but the former Cleveland Cavaliers star has been taking down Jordan and Bryant's records.

Bryant retired in 2016 after 20 seasons with the Lakers. He led them to NBA titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010, and was named the MVP in 2008.

Read also

Erling Haaland breaks Cristiano Ronaldo record and fires fresh title warning to Arsenal

Only three players have scored more points than him in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain (100) is the only player to score more points in a game than Bryant (81).

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others sadly passed away in January 2020, per AP.

Meanwhile, James is 39 and is heading to his 22nd NBA season. In February 2023, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, per ESPN.

Bryant retired with five NBA titles, while James has four.

Jordan weighs in on James vs Bryant

In 2013, the six-time NBA champion was asked to pick between Bryant and James. He jokingly said Kevin Durant but proceeded to give a detailed answer.

"In terms of dominance of the game of basketball at this stage, it’s LeBron. Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant. He wants it so bad, he’s willing to go to the extreme," he said via Sportscasting.
"Guarding a guy, guarding the point guards at age 34, and playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes — that’s ludicrous. I think this is what he’s battling with. It is what it is. He’s cursed as much as I am. If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice but five beats one."

Read also

How injuries sabotaged Ghana's AFCON glory with Stephen Appiah

Subscribe to watch new videos

Jordan has always been considered the NBA GOAT, but some feel James is.

Messi or Jordan?

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Lionel Messi discussed who is the bigger GOAT between him and Michael Jordan.

The Inter Miami star said Jordan is the best, adding that he was convinced after watching the Last Dance.

Source: AFP

Authors:
Isaac Darko avatar

Isaac Darko (Sports Editor) Isaac Darko is a Sports Editor at Yen, boasting over 10 years of experience in the media industry. He has produced award-winning TV shows such as "Football 360" and "Sports XTRA" on ViaSat 1/Kwese TV. Isaac began his career as an Assistant Producer at TV3 Ghana Limited (Media General) and also contributed as a Writer and Weekend Editor for Pulse Ghana. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now University of Media, Arts and Communication). Email: isaac.darko@yen.com.gh.