Michael Jordan: ‘When Kobe Bryant Died, a Piece of Me Died’

Jordan, 57, told stories of Bryant bombarding him with late-night calls and text messages after he stopped playing, seeking advice on post-up moves, footwork and playing in Coach Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, which Jordan had mastered while winning six championships with the Bulls in the 1990s.

Early in Jackson’s tenure with the Lakers, which began in the 1999-2000 season, Jordan came to Los Angeles to visit his old coach, yet Bryant — still eager to measure himself in a one-on-one game against his boyhood idol — asked the retired superstar: “Did you bring your shoes?”

“He wanted to the best basketball player that he could be,” Jordan said. “As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”

Jordan’s presence at the service was first widely noticed when he helped Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, off the stage after her emotional tributes to Kobe and Gianna.

“In the game of basketball, in life, as a parent, Kobe left nothing in the tank,” Jordan said. “He left it all on the floor.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/sports/basketball/kobe-bryant-michael-jordan.html