Michael Passes The Torch To Kobe
Throughout his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant accomplished a ton of success. The one person that he was always chasing was Michael Jordan. No one could ever be like Mike, but if someone ever got close, it was Kobe.
The killer instinct. The mid-range game. Defensive intensity. Drive to win championships and the relentlessness to be the greatest player every time he gets on the court. Bryant aspired to be as great as Jordan and he gave him a run for his money.
The torch was passed on this day in 2003 when Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant faced off for the final time. Kobe would finish with 55 points in a 108-94 #Lakers win over the Wizards. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/kwOQhw1eVo
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 28, 2020
There was mutual respect between the two. Watching them battle it out for an NBA Championship under the bright lights of the NBA Finals would have been great for fans. But, in 2003, the torch was finally passed from Jordan to Bryant.
Jordan and the Washington Wizards faced off with Bryant and the Lakers on this day 17 years ago. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 108-94 behind a dominant performance from Kobe.
Bryant scored 42 of his 55 points in the first half as Washington had no answer for the scoring onslaught from Kobe.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1243950027984297985
In the final matchup between these two legends, Jordan scored a team-high 23 points with four assists. Byrant more than doubled that with a masterful performance, scoring 55 points with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.