Say what you want about Michael Jordan, but the man put the NBA on the international map. He went from bringing stardom to the NBA to making billions as an entrepreneur. But as much as basketball fans want to debate who is the GOAT, even MJ is not free of the query. A long time ago, Jordan was asked who could beat him. Looking back at his answer now, fans can’t help but feel touched. The same video resurfaced and has been doing the rounds of the Internet.

Jordan has set the precedent for NBA players to expand their horizons beyond the hardwood court. A lot of NBA players followed his example, and few even exceeded them. One such athlete is the late Kobe Bryant.

Michael Jordan playfully called out Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant shared a wonderful friendship during the latter’s lifetime. And no friend of MJ’s is free from his ribbing. ‘His Airness’?even joked about ‘The Black Mamba’?copying his moves.

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‘Black Jesus’ could make many NBA players quake in their Jordans. But in 2013, he answered a highly anticipated question about which player in the NBA could beat him in a 1v1.

Jordan listed the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade in the list of people he’d like to play one-on-one. He was confident about winning against most of them. Except against Kobe Bryant.

?I don?t think I?d lose, other than to Kobe Bryant because he steals all of my moves.? When Jordan said this, Bryant had already won his five NBA championship rings. By then, many had been drawing comparisons between his and Jordan’s playing styles.

The resurfaced clip tries to cinematically depict similarities between Bryant and Jordan. That remains to be debated, but there’s no question that Jordan had some influence on Bryant both on and off the court.

Jordan rose to billionaire status as a multi-faceted businessman. He pioneered the Jordan Brand among several successful ventures into hospitality, golf, and entertainment businesses. He also owned the majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets until very recently. His business acumen inspired many NBA players to also invest in other revenue sources.

Much like his friend, Bryant also made a sizable investment in BodyArmor among other businesses. His company, Kobe Inc. invested in the sports drink startup in 2014, when it was valued at $6 million. That investment has grown more than a hundred times.

Black Mamba made that investment a year after Jordan said he steals his moves. In more ways than one, Bryant did. Not that Jordan minded.

Vanessa Bryant protected Kobe’s estate

Since losing her husband in 2020, Vanessa Bryant has managed his estate. She recently fought a legal battle with the president of Mamba Inc, Molly Carter.

When Coca-Cola bought out BodyArmor, it is estimated that Kobe’s estate received a $400 million cut. Carter claimed a share of it but the court sided with Vanessa. It resulted in Vanessa winning $1.5 million in the lawsuit and she managed to protect her family from defamation.

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Looking back at it, MJ would clearly have not minded Kobe stealing his moves, because it has not only allowed for his family to be taken care of but it also keeps his legacy going.