Prior to the start of this season, former Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant took to social media to issue personal challenges to several prominent sports figures. One of those famous challenges was present to Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo after he requested for Bryant to give him a personal goal. It didn't take long for the 39-year-old to voice that Antetokounmpo should aim to earn his first MVP award this year.

Bryant spoke to Antetokounmpo following a game in Milwaukee, preaching hard work and everything else that the 20-year great was all about. The conversation didn't last long, however, as the two parted to continue their respectively grueling 82-game seasons.

While looking at his phone and seeing Bryant issue challenges to players around the league, Antetokounmpo decided to try his luck and get a challenge from Bryant. Bryant responded with the MVP challenge, and Antetokounmpo was shocked to see that a legend like Bryant believed he could pull it off.

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In wake of Bryant's jerseys retirement on Monday night, the Bucks All-Star voiced much admiration toward the future Hall of Famers having faith that he can reach that impressive individual feat, according to Michael Lee of The Vertical.

“I’m like, ‘Wheeeew.’ That’s big time,” Antetokounmpo told Yahoo Sports. “Before that, that was one of my goals as a player. And it still is. But a guy like Kobe believing I can get that trophy? At that point, I was like, ‘OK. He believes I can do it. I believe I can do it. My team believes I can do it. I’m good for it.’ You know, he’s Kobe. He’s busy. I was, like, 50-60 percent sure that he was going to respond back. But I wasn’t expecting MVP. I love him giving me that challenge.”

For many of the game's top players, Bryant has been held in high regard as being their standard bearer of what ultimate commitment and dedication should look like. He was well regarded for his impeccable work ethic and passion for the game by many that have inspired players like Antetokounmpo to take the next step in their respective careers.

The 23-year-old has continued to show that this season with his play currently averaging career highs across the board once again being second in the league with 29.8 points per game on 54.4 percent shooting from the field with 10.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks per contest. He is currently one of only four players in the league shooting better than 50 percent from the field while averaging at least 25.0 points per contest.

Although it looks to be an uphill battle for Antetokounmpo to garner his first MVP award this season, he has at least garnered the respect as being one of the rising stars in the league. More importantly, it's another example of Bryant's huge amount of impact on the NBA even though his playing days are behind him.