Even the head coach of Harper, Kobe, and Jordan has written the same thing in his book. In Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson, he wrote, “Michael Jordan just told me that Kobe is the only one who worked hard enough to deserve comparison.” Even his formidable rival, Michael Jordan, once thought that the Lakers legend would beat him in an exciting one-on-one match.

The six-time champion selected Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade as hypothetical one-on-one opponents. Not only was he confident that he wouldn’t lose, but he also had a particular concern about facing the Black Mamba. “I don’t think I would lose,” he said, “except to Kobe Bryant, because he stole all my moves.”

Why Kobe Bryant is often considered a mirror of Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant was the face of the league, embodying Michael Jordan. On the Knuckleheads Podcast, Adrian Kirilenko made this comparison in late September. The Russian former NBA star debuted while Michael Jordan was playing for the Wizards. Even Magic Johnson reiterated a similar view earlier this year.

“He’s probably the closest guy to Michael Jordan, right? Because Michael is the greatest player to ever play. But Kobe, in terms of the way he could… his demeanor was like Michael’s, his approach to the game was like Michael’s,” Magic said when speaking with Jennifer Hudson, praising Lakers #24 for his contributions to women’s sports as well.

Kobe Bryant says Michael Jordan also borrowed moves

Michael Jordan made headlines earlier this month when he joked that Kobe Bryant might be able to beat him in a one-on-one game because Kobe “stole all of his moves.” Kobe admitted he had copied MJ’s moves, but Jordan also learned some of his moves from other players.

“I’m a student of the game, you know, so I know the history; I know where Michael’s moves came from,” Bryant said about borrowing moves. “I know they came from David Thompson. I know they came from Dr. J. I know they came from, specifically, Jerry West.”