Has Jordan ever commented on Kobe Bryant? If so, what has been said?

Question

I know kobe's answered a myriad of questions when interviewers ask him about what it's like being compared to Michael Jordan, but i'm not sure what Jordan has said about Kobe other than "if i were guarding him, i would have fouled him until i fouled myself out than to let him score 81 pts on me."

Answer 1

Jordan actually did say several years ago that the player in the NBA that closest to being compared to him was Kobe, because he actually plays defense. At the time, he was making reference to the fact players are pushed into being labeled as stars. We was specifically refering to the fact that thought that Vince Carter and Grant Hill don't play defense, and that Kobe was a better comparison.

Answer 2

Yes, he has publicly admitted that Bryant was better than him early in their careers. He's also admitted (a few years later) that Byrant is the best out of the MJ wannabe club (Bryant, McGrady, VC, James) because he plays defense and has that passion and killer instinct. He did say that he would have used his fouls better if he was guarding him in that 81 point game. Which is a good point, if you saw that game, my grandmother could have scored 81 points against Toronto that day. It didn't look like he scored 81. In fact Phil Jackson wasn't even aware until someone told him about it. BTW, that video on youtube is of a game when MJ was in his thirties against a very young Bryant. It doesn't mean anything.

Answer 3

He said Kobe at 19 was better then him(MJ) at 19....

If Jordan did say he would have kept fouling Kobe..he would foul out every time they played...shoot..MJ could'nt even gaurd Kobe when Kobe was 19 let alone now....go to youtube
and type in Kobe... scroll down..you will see....

Answer 4

In all honesty I really believe MJ does not want anything to do with Bryant. I don't think he'd waste his breathe on commenting on him. Bryant is nowhere near MJ, and never will be.

Answer 5

SURE--HE SAID HE'S NOT HALF BAD.