“Call Michael Jordan Black Cat, I’ll Be the Caramel Cat”: 19-year-old Kobe Bryant Was Ready to Be the Next MJ

Nithin Joseph | 14/12/2022
"Kobe Bryant Was a Gym Rat”: Tracy McGrady Revealed ‘Eat, Sleep, Basketball’ Mantra of 19-year-old Star, Which Inspired Him to Succeed

For years, Kobe Bryant was hailed as the second coming of Michael Jordan. The man was almost a carbon copy of the six-time champion.

From his build to the way he played. Watching Kobe play was like watching a prime Air Jordan. The Black Mamba did everything he could to emulate his hero.

He even tried to get similar nicknames. Back when he was 19, Kobe heard Reggie Miller’s nickname for Jordan, The Black Cat. After that Kobe insisted upon being called the Caramel Cat.

Also Read: “Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Forced Me Into Hospital”: Jerry West and Lakers’ 1996 Offseason Was Not For the Weak Hearted

Kobe Bryant wanted to be called the Caramel Cat after hearing MJ’s Black Cat nickname

Michael Jordan was Kobe Bryant’s idol, hero, and big brother. As a young star in the NBA, the Black Mamba wanted to be just like Mike. To the point that he even wanted a similar nickname.

Reggie Miller tells the story best. In 1998, Miller had just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Jordan in a seven-game series. He was devastated but still took the time to have a chat with a 19-year-old Kobe. While talking to him, Miller could not help but refer to MJ as the Black Cat. Upon hearing that, Bryant insisted he be referred to in a similar fashion, as the Caramel Cat.

“A day after maybe two days after the seven-game loss I had against MJ, Scottie, and the Bulls, he calls me. And, we’re having a conversation about that game and I keep referring to MJ as that Black Cat, ‘That Black Cat man…you know he kept willing those guys. We had him down, he was struggling but he kept the pressure on us’, and there was stone-cold silence on the other end of the phone and then he’s like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna become the Caramel Cat…you call him the Black Cat…I’m gonna become the Caramel Cat!’. It’s just funny because I was so upset about that series because I wanted to retire MJ and I’m thinking, ‘Uh oh! Here comes the next MJ!’ “

Talk about an obsession. Kobe trained hard in order to become the next MJ. But, he went beyond that and became his own player.

Michael Jordan thought of Kobe as an annoying younger brother

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan had a special relationship. The two were close and shared a brotherly bond. One where MJ was the older brother to Kobe’s annoying younger brother.

As such, Kobe’s passing was hard for Michael. He loved Kobe both as a person and as a player. Much like the rest of the world.

Also Read: “Allen Iverson Pushed Me to Another Level”: $600 Million Worth Kobe Bryant, Once Credited Sixers Legend For Bringing Out the Best in Him

Post Edited By: Raahib Singh
Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Reggie Miller

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

Don’t miss these