Michael Jordan discloses the last text message he exchanged with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant before his tragic death last year.
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Many basketball enthusiasts consider Micheal Jordan as a basketball god. In his incredible 15-year NBA career, MJ solidified himself to be considered as the GOAT. And looking at his long list of surreal achievements it is pretty obvious why he is on the Mt Rushmore of basketball.
There never was or can be another one like Mike. However, there was one player who had an almost identical game style, mannerism, drive to win the game and mentality as him – Kobe Bryant.
Considered to be his generation’s Michael Jordan, Kobe is one of the all-time greats who preached his “Mamba Mentality” philosophy for the two decades he was in the league.
Also Read: Michael Jordan threw shade at Kevin Durant during Wizards MVP’s Oklahoma City Hall-of-Fame induction
Many people believed since Kobe and MJ are two of the best ever to play the game, they would have a bad relationship off the court. However, we have seen quite a few times and even heard several heartwarming anecdotes of how the two Hall-Of-Famers shared a brother-like relationship.
Sadly, Kobe Bean Bryant lost his life in an unfortunate helicopter crash back in January 2020. Very recently, Mike disclosed the last text message the two shooting guards exchanged.
In his last text message to MJ, Bryant displayed his competitive spirit
Kobe’s life after his retirement might not have been as celebrated as his incredible 20-year career. However, Bean did have a pretty successful life post-retirement. One of the many ventures Kobe got into, was coaching the Team Mamba, a girl’s basketball team that included his second-oldest daughter Gianna, who unfortunately passed away in the tragic crash too.
During his last text message with Kobe, Jordan decided to talk about his basketball-coaching pursuits. His Airness recollected:
“He was really into coaching [daughter] Gigi. So I hit him up about that. ‘Happy holidays and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!’ I added that little crying/laughing emoji.”
‘Ah, back at you, man,” Kobe wrote. “Hey, coach, I’m sitting on the bench right now, and we’re blowing this team out. 45-8.’
“I just love that text,” Jordan said, “because it shows Kobe’s competitive nature.”
Even years after his retirement from professional basketball, Kobe’s competitive spirit never left him. This was one of the things that the Mamba preached and made him immortal.
Seeing the camaraderie, mutual respect and love the two legends shared for each other is inspiring and commendable. Had Kobe been alive to witness his historic induction into the Hall-Of-Fame, he would’ve been pleased to know that his icon Michael Jordan will be his Hall-Of-Fame presenter.
