?Standing Up for a Family Member?- Michael Jordan Opens Up About Inducting Kobe Bryant to the Hall of Fame

Kobe Bryant was arguably one of the greatest to ever play the game. Be it his impeccable skills with the ball or the intensity he brought to the court, Kobe could do it all.

But there were some uncanny similarities between his game and the play style of Bulls’ legend Michael Jordan.

Bryant almost looked like a prototype of Mike on the floor. Be it the fadeaway jump shots or the tenacious defending, Kobe had certainly learned from the best. In the 20 years Bryant spent in the league, he had a massive trophy cabinet.

With 5 NBA championships, 2 finals MVPs, 18 All-Star appearances, Kobe became one of the most successful players of all time and became a lock in the never-ending GOAT conversations.

Michael Jordan opens up about inducting Kobe Bryant to the Hall of Fame

Today, the 2020 Hall of Fame class is finally going to be inducted. Among the inductees are legendary players like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. But arguably the biggest name on the list is Kobe Bryant.

Given the legendary career he enjoyed, it was not a surprise that he was inducted. But unfortunately, the Black Mamba’s untimely death shocked the whole basketball community. Even though it has already been a year, it is hard to fathom Bryant’s death.

It is only fitting that the legendary Laker is going to be inducted by his idol, Michael Jordan. Over the years, MJ had built a great relationship with Kobe. In a recent interview, Jordan revealed the moment Vanessa Bryant asked him to induct Bryant.

“I told her, ‘Look, I know this is a tough time. I’m always here if you need me….She answered back, ‘I would love it if you stood up for Kobe at the Hall of Fame’.”

Jordan later said how big of an honor it really was for him. “It’s going to be a great honor, to be honest. It’s like standing up for a family member. He paid me the highest respect by trying to emulate certain things I did.

“And I can only repay that by showing my support and admiration for a guy who I felt was one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Jordan and Kobe certainly had a great bond off the court, and if the Mamba was with us right now, MJ would have been the first person he would have called to induct him into the Hall of Fame.