kobe bryant has been recognized as the greatest Player of All Time as NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Michael Jordan had to pick best player between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant – he responded with the perfect answer
Michael Jordan once faced an impossible question.
The NBA GOAT was forced to pick between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
James, 40, is still playing at a high level in his 22nd NBA season.
The King is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and recently became the first player in history to reach 50,000 points.
Bryant had a remarkable basketball career and inspired millions, including tennis superstar Novak Djokovic.
Jordan got involved in the “Who’s better?” debate in 2013, when James was in his prime leading the Miami Heat’s Big Three, while Bryant was approaching the end of his legendary run with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Kobe or LeBron?” veteran sports analyst Ahmad Rashad
asked Jordan.
The question arrived for “Michael Jordan at 50,” a special looking back at his 50th birthday.
“I’d say, ‘Kevin Durant,’ ” Jordan said. “Naw, I’m just kidding.”
Then the 10-time scoring champion got real.
“In terms of dominance of the game of basketball, at this stage it’s LeBron,” Jordan said in 2013.
But the six-time NBA Finals winner had another final answer.
“Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant,” Jordan said. “He wants it so bad and he’s willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a point guard at the age of 34, playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes, that’s ludicrous.”
Jordan then linked himself with Bryant, not James.
“He’s cursed as much as I am,” said Jordan, referring to Bryant.
When specifically picking between Bryant and James, Air Jordan acknowledged that it would be a “tough choice.”
Basketball fans often side with Jordan because of his championship ring total, and he did the same in the Bryant vs. James debate.
“Five (rings) beats one,” Jordan said.
In 2025, the Bryant or James debate would tip toward The King, primarily because of James’ longevity.
But in terms of pure career dominance, many would flip the order.
Jordan would be No. 1, Bryant would take the No. 2 spot, and James would be last.
James, who joined the Lakers in 2018, now has four championship rings but is 4-6 all-time in the Finals.
Bryant, who died in 2020, was 5-2 in the Finals.
Jordan was a perfect 6-0 and led the Chicago Bulls to two three-peats.
“Interviewer: Kobe or LeBron? Jordan: Me, obviously,” a fan jokingly tweeted.
“Reporter is lucky that MJ didnt take it personal,” a second fan posted. “He would give him 60 (points).”
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