Michael Jordan: “Maybe it surprises people that me and Kobe were very close friends, but we were very close friends. Kobe was my dear friend and like a little brother. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I, but I just wanted to talk about Kobe… What Kobe Bryant was to me was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the the way I played the game, or the way he wanted to play the game. He wanted to be the best basketball he could be, and as I got I to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be… When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died, and as I look around the world and in this arena, of piece of all of you died or else you wouldn't be here. From this day forward I will live with the memories of knowing that I had a little brother that I tried to help in every way I could. Please rest in peace little bro." (Full Video Above)
Watch Michael Jordan’s emotional tribute to the late great Kobe Bryant, as the best player in basketball history who has long been compared to Bryant for their extreme similarities in not only playing styles but for their killer instincts on the basketball court as well, showed a rare instance of extreme vulnerability.