It is well known that Kobe Bryant idolized Michael Jordan and patterned parts of his game after him.
Unfortunately, Bryant was 15 years younger than Jordan, and therefore the basketball world never got to see the two do battle while both were in their respective primes.
But the minimal overlap of their careers did give fans an opportunity to see these two sports giants take the court and compete against each other a few times.
After retiring from the Chicago Bulls in 1999, Jordan decided to suit up again for two more seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards starting in the 2001-02 campaign.
The first time Bryant played Jordan’s Wizards, he served up a new career-high in assists. The following season, when they came to Staples Center on March 28, 2003, the Lakers superstar would do damage the more traditional way.
He got white hot early, putting up 42 points in the first half on 14-of-19 overall shooting and 8-of-11 from 3-point land as Los Angeles went up 59-48 at intermission.
He cooled off considerably in the second half but still managed to add 13 points, giving him 55 on the night as the Lakers won, 108-94.
It was a message, pure and simple: Jordan’s time was long gone, and it was now Bryant’s league.
