Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
During an interview in 1999, Kobe Bryant reveals 2 ways in which Shaquille O’Neal helped him as a young player coming into the league. This legendary duo lasted 8 seasons.
Full interview from Somewhat Aussie: youtu.be/r9w4VGoz3QM
Excerpt from ‘Phil Jackson, Magic Johnson talk about Kobe Bryant's relationship with Michael Jordan’ article by Stephen Beslic:
Lakers legend Magic Johnson explained what MJ meant to Kobe and vice versa.
“You could see the beginning of this special relationship that was going to take place and start forming then,” Johnson said. “Kobe respected guys but it was different [with Jordan]. He idolized Michael in a way that was different from anybody else. It was like, ‘Man, I’m trying to be like you but I also want to show you what I got in this All-Star game too.’ I loved the fact that I was there and I could witness it just like Larry [Bird] and I witnessed during the [1992] Olympics, how we were passing the torch to Michael. Some things you never forget and that was a moment I’ll never forget — the torch being passed.”
Kobe credited MJ with helping him win five NBA Championships.
“It was a rough couple of years for me, coming to the league, ’cause at the time the league was much older. It’s not as young as it is today. So nobody was really thinking much of me. I was a kid that... shot a bunch of air-balls, you know what I mean?And at that point, Michael provided a lot of guidance for me. I had a question about shooting his turnaround shot, so I asked him about it. And he gave me a great, detailed answer but on top of that, he said, 'If you ever need anything, give me a call,'” Kobe said.
Full article: si.com/nba/bulls/.amp/old-school/michael-jordan-and-kobe-bryant-shared-a-special-bond
🏷 #shaq #kobe #nbalegends #lakers #basketball #interview #kobebryant #shaquilleoneal
During an interview in 1999, Kobe Bryant reveals 2 ways in which Shaquille O’Neal helped him as a young player coming into the league. This legendary duo lasted 8 seasons.
Full interview from Somewhat Aussie: youtu.be/r9w4VGoz3QM
Excerpt from ‘Phil Jackson, Magic Johnson talk about Kobe Bryant's relationship with Michael Jordan’ article by Stephen Beslic:
Lakers legend Magic Johnson explained what MJ meant to Kobe and vice versa.
“You could see the beginning of this special relationship that was going to take place and start forming then,” Johnson said. “Kobe respected guys but it was different [with Jordan]. He idolized Michael in a way that was different from anybody else. It was like, ‘Man, I’m trying to be like you but I also want to show you what I got in this All-Star game too.’ I loved the fact that I was there and I could witness it just like Larry [Bird] and I witnessed during the [1992] Olympics, how we were passing the torch to Michael. Some things you never forget and that was a moment I’ll never forget — the torch being passed.”
Kobe credited MJ with helping him win five NBA Championships.
“It was a rough couple of years for me, coming to the league, ’cause at the time the league was much older. It’s not as young as it is today. So nobody was really thinking much of me. I was a kid that... shot a bunch of air-balls, you know what I mean?And at that point, Michael provided a lot of guidance for me. I had a question about shooting his turnaround shot, so I asked him about it. And he gave me a great, detailed answer but on top of that, he said, 'If you ever need anything, give me a call,'” Kobe said.
Full article: si.com/nba/bulls/.amp/old-school/michael-jordan-and-kobe-bryant-shared-a-special-bond
🏷 #shaq #kobe #nbalegends #lakers #basketball #interview #kobebryant #shaquilleoneal
