Michael Jordan’s legacy in basketball is one that has helped the sport become a global brand and secure that global audience that it deserves.
Advertisement
Jordan’s game style has earned him fans from all over the globe, one’s that drool over the way he glided on court and made the game of basketball seem so very simple and beautiful.
But Jordan was not only about that, he was also about the big game mentality and attitude that he had, one that separated him from his peers.
MJ’s 6-0 finals record gives him an upper hand over any of the other superstars in the sport, those who could have a slight claim to the title of the GOAT.
Cannot. Wait. 😳
"The Last Dance," a 10-part documentary series will chronicle Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls, one of the greatest icons and most successful dynasties in sports history, will debut on ESPN in 2020. pic.twitter.com/B72ljh5GbE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 25, 2018
Greatest career Michael Jordan🐐
Most well rounded Lebron James🐐
Most skilled Kobe Bryant🐐
Most dominant Shaquille O'Neal🐐
Best play maker Magic Johnson🐐
Best player pound for pound AI🐐
Best shooter Stephen Curry🐐
Best defender Dennis Rodman🐐— Lakers Stan (@Playboy_Laker) December 25, 2018
The ‘GOAT debate’ is one that keeps going on and on, with new players bursting onto the scene and challenging the might of Michael Jordan. But very few can match what Jordan has done for the sport on and off the court.
Now, Jordan too has been asked about the ‘GOAT debate’ and if there is any player in the NBA(current or in the past) who can beat him in a 1 on 1 game.
Jordan came up with a reply during a 2013 interview, confirming that Kobe Bryant could maybe beat him in a 1-on-1 game, but that is largely because Kobe has stolen all of Jordan’s moves.
“I don’t think I would lose,” Jordan said.
“Other than to Kobe Bryant because he steals all of my moves.” he added.
According to Michael Jordan, the only person in history who could ever beat him one-on-one is Kobe Bryant, but "only because he steals all my moves."
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) December 23, 2018
This picture of Patrick Ewing going in for a dunk against Michael Jordan is crazy… what makes it even crazier is that Jordan actually blocked Ewing’s shot 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gYMdtRb2Sg
— Greatest of All Time (@MjsGoat) December 22, 2018
Kobe Bryant’s game was too inspired by Michael Jordan’s, as the Lakers man emulated a lot of MJ’s moves on court. But little did we know that MJ had a slight problem with it and could take a dig at Kobe for doing so(all in good humour though).
He was also asked the uncomfortable question of who he thought was the best player in the league at that time, with MJ covering all possible bases with his answer.
“In terms of dominance in the game of basketball at this stage, it’s LeBron. Championship wise, it’s Kobe.” Michael Jordan has confirmed.
Check out the video:
LeBron James’ over all game play makes him one of the best of this generation and probably the only challenger to Jordan’s throne. But Kobe Bryant’s success with Lakers puts him in the mix as well.
With Jordan believing that Kobe can beat him in a 1-on-1, do you think Kobe Bryant is a better number 2 to Jordan than LeBron James?