Episode 5 of the popular documentary The Last Dance aired on Sunday. Often focusing on Michael Jordan's relationship with the late Kobe Bryant, the episode gave fans some of the best moments of the series so far.
Bryant and Jordan are two of the best players to ever step foot on an NBA court, and although Bryant wouldn't become a star until late into Jordan's career, basketball fans are lucky enough to see the two legends match up a few times.
After a mediocre rookie year, Kobe Bryant would make his first All-Star Game in 1998 — still a teenager looking to gain his footing in the league. On the other hand, Michael Jordan was a 34-year-old veteran and was on his way to leading the Chicago Bulls to a sixth NBA championship.
Well, despite being in completely different stages of their careers, the two Hall of Famers faced each other at the 1998 All-Star Game.
While Jordan certainly recognized the skills of the young Bryant, Jordan was not about to be upstaged by a teenager and demanded he take Bryant on one-on-one.
“That little Laker boy’s gonna take everybody one-on-one…he don’t let the game come to him. He just go out there and take it….I’m going to make this a one-on-one,” Jordan said in “The Last Dance,” referring to his first matchup with Bryant.
Bryant would actually hold his own against Jordan and the Eastern Conference All-Stars that year, as he finished the game with 18 points and six rebounds in just 22 minutes while shooting 7-16 from the field.
However, Jordan poured in 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds in 32 minutes while leading the East to an easy 21-point victory and being named MVP of the game.
More revelations are expected from “The Last Dance,” but anything with Kobe and MJ with it is definitely a welcome story for all NBA fans.
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