Magkaibigan sina Michael Jordan at Kobe Bryant, pero mahigpit ding magkaribal.
Nang mag-retire sa basketball si Jordan, kay Kobe niya ipinamana ang baton.
May kuwento si Chicago Bulls Hall of Fame writer Sam Smith na minsan daw ay hinamon ni Kobe si MJ.
Retired na raw si Jordan noon.
Minsan daw inimbitahan ni Phil Jackson si Jordan para makakuwentuhan si Kobe. Siyempre, si Jackson ang coach ni Jordan sa dalawang three-peat sa Chicago Bulls, at siya rin ang nagtimon sa three-peat ni Kobe at ng Lakers, kasama si Shaquille O’Neal, noong 2000-02.
“They arranged a suite at the arena (Staples Center). Michael was there with Phil and Jerry West – this was after he retired from the Wizards so it’d be about 2005, maybe,” balik-tanaw ni Smith.
Pasok raw ang Kobe.
“Kobe walks in and challenges Michael to a game and tells him to put on a uniform and go down to the courd and that he would kick his ass,” patuloy ni Smith. “Michael of course was out of shape and not at his playing weight, sitting smoking a cigar despite the no-smoking rule in the arena. And of course, Michael was ready to go. They didn’t wind up playing, but the fire flared up.”
Ganun katindi ang kumpetisyon ng dalawa. (VE)