Remembering Kobe Bryant: Michael Jordan Warned a Room Full of Legends About the Ruthlessness of a 19YO Laker Boy (1998)

Back in 1998, Kobe Bryant made history by becoming the youngest All-Star ever. Despite just being a 19-year-old guard in the NBA, Kobe Bryant was not afraid to go up against the goliaths of the league. The intensity that Kobe brought to each possession made him a threat. So much so that even the great Michael Jordan acknowledged Kobe’s tenacity before the All-Star game to his fellow teammates from the East.

“That Laker boy gonna take everybody 1 on 1. He don’t let the game come to him, he just go out there and take it. ‘Imma make this s*** happen’, ‘Imma make this a 1 on 1 game‘,” said the 6x champion while sitting in the locker room with his teammates before the 1998 All-Star game.

Jordan knew exactly how the Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard played. This is because Kobe’s game resembled his own ruthless playstyle. He was prepared for all his competitions, even if the competition was just for a 19-year-old guard. The Chicago Bulls legend was surrounded by other NBA greats like Reggie Miller and Tim Hardaway, who also agreed that Kobe would be making it a one-on-one game from the get-go.

In the end, it was Michael Jordan who came out on top during the game, as he was crowned the All-Star Game MVP. Jordan played 32 minutes and scored 24 points, whereas Kobe Bryant played just 22 minutes but scored 18 points. But Jordan realized the potential of the young Kobe. Over the years, the two built a strong relationship with each other, and Jordan was always willing to help Kobe get better.

Kobe Bryant made history in 1998

In 1998, Kobe Bryant became the youngest All-Star ever in NBA history, and the record has stood still since then. Despite Kobe coming off the bench for the majority of the season, he averaged 15.4 PPG. This led to his being selected for the All-Star game.

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Winning the All-Star Game Dunk Contest in his rookie season would have also aided in this selection. Kobe showed up in the game but failed to bring home the victory for his conference. However, since then, Kobe had become an all-star for the rest of his career with 18 consecutive All-Star selections.

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What do you think of Michael Jordan preparing for a young Kobe Bryant before the All-Star game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!