Celebrated NBA photographer Andrew Bernstein has shared his two cents worth on the biggest difference between the legendary Michael Jordan and the late, great Kobe Bryant. Having had the opportunity to work with both players up close, Bernstein provided some insight on what he believes separated the Los Angeles Lakers great from Jordan.

According to Bernstein, Kobe possessed an incessant desire to find the reason behind anything and everything he did:

“They both worked out hard,” Bernstein said on a recent appearance on the John Roa Show, via Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago. “They both were religious workaholics in terms of their physical fitness and being in shape. The difference was that Michael didn’t care about the ‘why.’ Michael just wanted to get stronger, get bigger, and get in the best possible shape he could be.

“Kobe was relentless about asking about the ‘why.’ Like, ‘Why are we doing this exercise? Why are we working on these muscles?’ And that was really the difference between the two of them.”

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This is by no means a knock on MJ, and Bernstein is not saying that this characteristic makes Kobe the GOAT in his mind. It is just him simply sharing a key observation he learned from watching these two greats throughout their respective careers.

There is no animosity between Jordan and Bryant, and as a matter of fact, Jordan delivered quite a moving eulogy for Kobe during the latter's funeral service.

Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash last January, would have celebrated his 42nd birthday on Sunday.