Coach Phil Jackson Once Asked Michael Jordan to Help Kobe Bryant and Co After Joining the Lakers

Not many people can say that they had the fortune of spending time with both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Even fewer people can say that they have actually known both Michael and Kobe. No one can say that he has played with both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Moreover, there is only one man who can say that he has coached both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and that is Phil Jackson.

Not only that, but Phil Jackson managed to work with MJ and Kobe for most of their primes. Phil Jackson led the Chicago Bulls all throughout their 2 three-peats. He won 6 NBA championships coaching the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and later Dennis Rodman. Then he joined the Lakers in the year 1999 and coached Shaquille O?Neal and Kobe Bryant. He once again won the three-peat with the Lakers, this time.

Phil Jackson became the legendary coach because of Michael Jordan and the Bulls team, while Jordan became the legend because of Phil. Similarly with Kobe Bryant. If it wasn?t for MJ and Kobe, Phil Jackson wouldn?t have been the leader of the teams winning a total of 11 NBA titles.

But interestingly, the opposite is also very, very true. Without and before Phil Jackson, the Bulls had not won any championship, and the same with the Lakers before the 1999-2000 season.

Also read: Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant? Phil Jackson Makes the Call for the GOAT of NBA

Phil led the Bulls to 2 three-peats (1991-1993, 1996-1998) and 1 three-peat with the Lakers (2000-2002). He then came back to the Lakers and won back-to-back championships. (2010, 2011).

Phil Jackson talks about Michael Jordan helping Kobe Bryant

Just as Phil left the Bulls, Michael also retired from basketball. So when in 1999, Phil joined the Lakers, Jordan offered to visit the camp and talk with Kobe.

Phil Jackson talked about the pointers MJ gave to Kobe, “I solicited his [Michael?s] help uh you know here with the Lakers. The first year I was here he was out of basketball. He just came and talked to Kobe a little bit about playing the guard position in this triangle offense. And how [it] can be frustrating because it could be a lot about spacing.”

“There’s not a lot of room for individual showmanship or scoring. You know just allowing the game to kind of be played at a level where it’s more passing and movement than dribbling and scoring in. Michael, he just has a great feel for basketball, great feel for fundamentals of basketball.”?

Kobe and Jordan were close since the start, mainly because Kobe absolutely worshiped MJ. He wanted to do everything MJ could do and more so, he wished to learn everything.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kobe Bryant calling Michael Jordan big brother.

Kobe was obsessed with Jordan and always copied him. More than anything else, MJ respected Kobe. Not because of how Kobe was obsessed with him, but because of his talent. So it made perfect sense that MJ shared some wisdom with Kobe.