When Larry Bird Recognized Hints of Michael Jordan’s Barcelona Olympics Performance in Kobe Bryant’s Defensive Dominance for Redeem Team

Larry Bird is a legend in the world of basketball. But, in 1992 he had the chance to play alongside the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan on the Olympic Team. The team that won gold at Barcelona thanks to, as Bird revealed, Jordan’s intense defensive pressure. In fact, it was so successful, Larry Legend saw it replicated in 2008. As is mentioned in the book When The Game Was Ours, the Boston Celtics legend saw the same strategy succeed with Kobe Bryant.

The Black Mamba was a huge admirer of His Airness. He modeled most of his game around him, to the point where their play styles were eerily similar. And, if Bird is to be believed, this was on display during their respective performances with the Olympic team. With MJ leading the Dream Team and Kobe, the Redeem Team.

Larry Bird saw similarities between the Olympic performances of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are widely considered to be two of the best players to ever take up the sport of basketball. They shared many similarities, from their style of play to their hunger for victory. Some have even referred to Kobe as the second coming of Jordan.

In fact, the two were so similar, that the United States Olympic team decided to use similar strategies involving them. Granted, it was at two different editions of the event, with MJ playing with the Dream Team in 1992, and The Black Mamba leading the Redeem Team in 2008. However, if you believe Larry Bird, it could be described as deja vu.

In the book, When The Game Was Ours, Bird details what it was like playing alongside Jordan. In particular, how dominant the team was, with a margin of victory that was an average of 45.8 points. However, he does note, that it all came down to Jordan’s defensive pressure. A tactic, that he later saw employed with Kobe Bryant in 2008.

“The margin of victory for the Dream Team in Barcelona was an average of 45.8 points. Jordan occasionally toyed with opponents before applying suffocating full-court pressure that usually generated a turnover, fastbreak lay-up, or both. Bird felt that Jordan’s defensive pressure was the single biggest reason the United States dominated, and he wasn’t surprised to see in 2008 that Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski (an assistant on the Dream Team) employed the same tactics using Kobe Bryant.”

The 1992 ‘Dream Team’ or the 2008 ‘Redeem Team’? 🤔

Members of #TheRedeemTeam have their say in the never-ending debate!@TeamUSA | @usabasketball | @FIBA pic.twitter.com/YpL9oIiVSX

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) October 7, 2022

Jordan and Kobe really were two players cast in the same mold. The resemblance between their games was uncanny, both on the offensive side of the court, and especially on the defensive side.

MJ and Kobe put on some great defensive displays during their time in the NBA

The competitive spirit and indomitable skill of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are what set them apart from the rest. And while many remember their offensive capabilities, their defense was just as important part of their games. Both men were known for their tenacious defense and ball-hawking skills.

Jordan was a 10-time All-Defensive player, even winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988. And, Kobe had an equally respectable defensive resume, making 12 All-Defensive appearances.

Both MJ and Kobe truly are two of the greatest to step on the hardwood floor. It’s unlikely we will ever see anyone on the same level as them for quite some time.