It has always been said that Kobe Bryant modeled his game after Michael Jordan, almost to a tee. Following in his footsteps, he forged one of the greatest careers in NBA history and cemented himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.
Very few players got the rare opportunity to share a court with both legends. However, Horace Grant is among the select few who shared a locker room with them, and he believes the similarities go beyond just the mechanics and style.
During his early days, when he shared a locker room with Shaquille O’Neal, he also found a Jordan teammate alongside him in Grant. A key member of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, Grant handled big-man responsibilities for the team’s first three-peat from 1991 to 1993.
How Kobe Bryant Became the Ultimate Michael Jordan Disciple
In multiple stories immortalized across time, Bryant sought out the six-time NBA champion to learn from him. Perfecting that craft, he won two scoring titles, an MVP, and five championships of his own.
With the Lakers, Grant was part of the 2001 championship squad and witnessed Bryant’s improvement firsthand. During an appearance on “The All The Smoke Podcast,” he made a heartwarming comparison between the two.
“I was so fortunate, so blessed, to play with MJ and the late great Kobe Bryant. The similarities [between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan], it’s like being a twin, man. To be on the sideline and to be on the court with both of those guys, it’s like heaven-sent.”
Coming from Grant, the twin comment hits even harder. Former NBA player Harvey Grant, who spent 11 seasons in the league, is his twin brother, so the four-time NBA champion knows how much that bond means.
But for the one-time All-Star, the comparison was apt because of the way the two approached the game. “The similarities? The work ethic, not just on the court but off the court. For example, MJ knew he had to get stronger because the Pistons were busting our a** back in the day. That dude was in the weight room just building his physique up.”
He revealed that Bryant had a similar mindset. “If Kobe would go 5-for-20, that dude is in the damn gym at 4:30 working on his shot, and it just pays off. The work ethic, the passion, and the love of the game, and them making their teammates better [are the similarities].”
Both players kept their approach singularly focused on the game, and it allowed them to become two of the most decorated players in NBA history.
