Kobe Bryant's obsession with Michael Jordan was evident from the earliest days of his NBA career, as revealed by Craig Hodges during an appearance on the Legends of Sport podcast. Hodges, a former Chicago Bulls player and shooting coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, shared how Bryant was relentless in his pursuit to learn everything about Jordan.
(Cleaned up for better understanding)
"Oh man, the very first flight over to Hawaii. That is when we first started together. And we get on the plane and I’m sitting there. He taps me on the shoulder, ‘Hey man, we get in, we need to have lunch'."
"I was like, ‘Alright man, let’s sit’. So, as soon as it was, ‘Man, what was MJ like? Did he make players better? Do you think my game is any?’."
"At times it was unbelievable to see that, it was almost mirror images of one another."
"Tex told me, 'Craig, I cannot get this young man to go out. He wants to come into my room, and we sit and watch triangle film over and over. I had to tell him to go, get out of my room.' And that’s the kind of student he was of the game."
"But like you said, it wasn’t just about basketball; it was a lot of other things, and I think that’s what made him special." (6:10)
The story Hodges recalled took place on a flight to Hawaii, when Bryant, still a young and eager player, tapped Hodges on the shoulder and insisted they sit down for lunch as soon as they landed. Bryant’s reason for the request became clear when he immediately began firing off questions about Jordan.
Hodges, taken aback by Bryant’s intensity and thirst for knowledge, quickly realized that Kobe’s dedication to learning from Jordan was not just passing interest. Bryant was obsessive, studying Jordan’s every move, seeking to perfect the same skills that had made MJ the best.
According to Hodges, Bryant’s fixation on Jordan was so thorough that at times it was like watching “mirror images” on the court. The way Bryant moved, played, and approached the game was a direct reflection of Jordan's influence.
Bryant’s obsession with Jordan didn’t stop with just studying his moves from afar. Once Kobe gained the opportunity to communicate with MJ directly, he began calling him at odd hours, seeking advice and insights.
As Hodges pointed out, Bryant’s dedication to learning from Jordan went beyond just wanting to play like him—he wanted to understand how Jordan thought, how he approached different situations, and how he made his teammates better.
For Bryant, Jordan wasn’t just a competitor or a player he admired; he viewed him as a mentor and an older brother. Bryant often credited his success, including his five championship rings, to Jordan’s influence.
Kobe Bryant’s relentless pursuit of greatness, driven by his obsession with Michael Jordan, is a testament to his dedication to the game. His desire to replicate and learn from the best ultimately shaped him into one of the greatest players of all time.
