One time Michael Jordan answered about his favorites playing 1v1 in their prime. His Airness chose six players to start with, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. When it came to choosing the person who could beat him, MJ did not hesitate to say Kobe, “because he steals all of my moves.” When someone asked Kobe and LeBron who amongst them is a better 1v1 player, the answer wouldn’t shock you.

“I’d win, I’d win, I mean, that’s what I do, ” the Lakers legend said without hesitation during his 2010 tour to the London School of Basketball. A year later, in 2011, when LeBron James would visit the same place, he couldn’t avoid the question. He was not a fan of it and looked displeased, answering that in the resurfaced video.

“I’m a team basketball player; it’s not a 1 on 1 sport. But I’m not gonna not take myself against anybody, I always feel that no matter who I’m going against that I will come out victorious.” He continued that the situation wouldn’t happen in real life because it was a team sport. Finally said, “So y’all can stop asking me that question.”

Many would describe the difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron as the former enters the GOAT debate scenes. More recently, it was Shaquille O’Neal, who had to say that many players feared facing the former instead of the latter. Mario Chalmers would reason stating, it’s because Bron has seen enough to want to be liked and respected and that has indeed translated.

But King James himself always had respect and love for Kobe. He even used the Lakers #24’s resilience as a motivation to get better himself.

“Kobe was someone that I just always kind of wanted to be like and play like,” LeBron had said in 2015. But once in the league, being competitors, Kobe proved to be a motivation from afar for the 4x champion. They played 22 games against each other and Bron won 16 of them, yet, he was worried about letting Kobe get ahead. “`Man, if you take a day off, he’s going to take advantage of it,'” was his mindset. So while Kobe pushed himself, he unknowingly pushed LeBron too.

Before all that, a young LeBron had a clear picture of what his idolization of Kobe really meant.

LeBron James and his quiet meeting with Kobe Bryant

After the Lakers honored Kobe Bryant with his statue, LeBron James shared an old video of meeting him. The video was from 2001 when a 16-year-old LeBron attended ABCD camp. Kobe won the championship that year and came to the camp to share some motivating words. “Just do your thing and go for what you know, man. Go for your dreams. Maybe I’ll see you in the league one of these days.”

In the video, the young James said, “I don’t wanna be like Kobe Bryant. I just wanna accomplish the things he accomplished. Like winning championships, you know. All-Star. Just doing those things.” It was shared by the Purple and Gold franchise on their Instagram. LeBron also shared the teaching that Kobe Bryant imparted that day.

Being disciplined to achieve the goals. Although LeBron admitted to not speaking with Kobe on that day, he would later go on to forge a strong bond. From the Olympics exploit to Kobe welcoming LeBron to the Lakers franchise. Even replicate the accolades to an extent. But despite them being fierce competitors on the court, their comradery off the court was one for the ages.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”