In the 2015 Showtime/CBS Sports documentary “Kobe Bryant’s Muse,” Kobe Bryant opened up about his first game against Michael Jordan.
“First time I was getting ready to face Jordan. I had a teammate and he goes to me and said, ‘Hey, you want some advice? Whatever you do, don’t look him [Jordan] in the eye.’
Wait, excuse me? Why the hell would I not look him in the eye? I don’t think my teammate understood that I’m that too. Can’t f****** look me in the eye either buddy,” Bryant explained.
Kobe Against Jordan
Following his retirement after the 2015-16 season, Bryant spoke to Patrick Bet-David and shared the advice he received before playing against Jordan for the first time.
In high school, Bryant talked to Philadelphia 76ers players while working out with them, and eventually, he asked them about Jordan. Kobe revealed that he couldn’t believe people didn’t call the six-time NBA champion ‘Michael’ or ‘Mike.’
“When I was in high school, I used to work out with the 76ers. I used to ask them, what’s it like to guard Mike? (‘Mike? You mean Black Jesus?’) Like what the f***. Black who? ‘We call him Black Jesus or you can call him black cat. I’mma call him f****** Mike. That’s his f****** name. And I would tell him, I said when I face him, we’re gonna go at it. He says (‘Oh you don’t wanna do that’). I’m like man you don’t know me man,” Bryant said.
Bryant was fearless regardless of who was in front of him. He never backed down from a challenge, and even though the odds weren’t always in his favor, he was always ready to take on any opponent, including his idol Jordan.
Bryant averaged 22.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in eight games against Jordan, who averaged 24.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists against him.
