The five-time NBA champion never lacked confidence but noted that the Team held a size advantage over the 2012 roster. “So what? He knows I’m a bad mother,” Bryant said via CBS Sports. It didn’t take long for Jordan to respond as he told the Associated Press that he “absolutely laughed” at the Lakers star’s remarks while airing that there is “no comparison” between the two teams.Īfter the former Bulls great’s stern message, Bryant fired back with a cold-blooded response, voicing that Jordan knows the player he is. The discussion rifted back-and-forth, with many players from both sides weighing in the dialogue.īryant chimed in, voicing that it would be a tough game between them, but his squad would win. One of those instances occurred in 2012 after the conversation stirred up around the hypothetical matchup between the 2012 USA Basketball Team and the 1992 Dream Team. Much like Jordan, Bryant never backed down from a challenge and embraced the obstacles that came with it. Kobe Bryant nonchalantly waved off Michael Jordan’s trash talk with a profane response: ‘I’m not really tripping’ I don’t get five championships here without him because he guided me so much and gave me so much great advice.”Īt the same time, the Lakers star also never backed down from any discussion involving Jordan. You hear fans saying ‘hey Kobe, you would be Michael 1-on-1.,” Bryant said in ESPN‘s Last Dance documentary. I truly hate having discussions about who would win 1-on-1. It drove Bryant to pull the most out of himself as Jordan served as the gold standard to push him to greatness. Bryant never liked the comparisons to Jordan, but he embraced the challenge of wanting to become recognized as the GOAT over him. Bryant mirrored many of Jordan’s mannerisms and moves on the court that further fueled the connections to the former Chicago Bulls great.Īlthough the competition between the two was short-lived because their playing days did not line up, the respect between them quickly fostered and grew tremendously as the years passed.

Bryant entered the NBA as a promising high school talent that quickly ascended to stardom.īehind his commitment to his craft and tremendous work ethic, the conversation quickly shifted toward comparisons to his idol.

Kobe trash talker