In the summer of 1984, a young boy who would turn six in August that year was captivated by a television broadcast. The screen featured the newly formed Team USA playing a series of exhibition games against professional opponents as part of their preparation for the home Olympics.
Roland Lazenby, author of the acclaimed biography “Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant,” explains that these games were intended simply as warm-ups for the American squad against pro players. Yet for the young viewer watching, this event became a defining moment.
It was during these broadcasts that the boy, who would one day become basketball legend Kobe Bryant, first noticed Michael Jordan, a moment that would profoundly influence his future on the hardwood.
At that time, a lot was going on in young Bryant’s life. Not long before those memorable scrimmages, his parents had decided to move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Europe.
Eager to begin a new chapter, the family was looking to settle in Rieti, a quiet town in central Italy. There, Kobe’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, wanted to continue his professional basketball career after eight seasons in the NBA.
Still, Kobe didn’t want to miss watching Team USA scrimmage. The biggest reason for it was Magic Johnson, a star on that team who had just finished third in MVP voting a few months earlier.
Lazenby’s 2016 book mentions several times how much young Kobe admired the Los Angeles Lakers legend growing up.
For example, Bryant Sr., who passed away in July 2024 after suffering a major stroke, shared how he took his son to Lakers games and introduced him to the players. Those experiences were crucial in shaping Kobe’s admiration for Magic — the player his father respected as well.
Lazenby wrote that Johnson, often regarded as the greatest point guard in NBA history, eventually became the “undisputed star” in the Bryant household during those years.
The “Black Mamba” himself remembered how much he admired the Lakers’ point guard at the time.
While Bryant was originally focused on the Lakers legend during that televised scrimmage, an unexpected newcomer stole the show — Jordan, fresh off his third and final season at North Carolina and soon to be the number one pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.
The “Black Mamba” recalled when his focus shifted. During one play, MJ raced down the court on a fast break, got past Magic and dunked forcefully over him. The move was so impressive that it left the young viewer stunned.
At the outset, Bean experienced a whirlwind of emotions. Watching his idol being outplayed triggered a complex mix of frustration and a touch of envy in the young athlete who would eventually become a five-time NBA champion.
Despite the initial bitterness, Bryant’s dislike for Jordan masked a hidden form of respect.
In this case, Kobe’s feelings likely reflected an unspoken admiration for Michael’s extraordinary talent and composure, especially since the 1982 NCAA champion with the Tar Heels was competing — more accurately, dominating — against well-known NBA stars like Johnson.
While Team USA, featuring future Hall of Famers Jordan and Johnson, won Olympic gold shortly after at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, a young Bryant was quietly honing his skills overseas in Europe — and with impressive success.
Despite his youth, Kobe, who also played soccer, quickly stood out as a talented basketball player. He often competed against older, more experienced opponents and still made a strong impression.
Fast forward to December 17, 1996 — approximately twelve years after Bryant first saw Jordan play, and the two faced each other on an NBA court for the first time.
In an exciting overtime win for the Chicago Bulls, Jordan scored 30 points and put on a great performance. Meanwhile, rookie Kobe, still finding his footing with the Lakers after being picked 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, scored just five points in his 10 minutes off the bench.
Over the next few seasons, the two faced each other several more times in regular-season games but never in the playoffs. Their final meeting came during the 2002-03 campaign. Ultimately, Bryant finished with an 8-3 head-to-head record against Jordan.
It’s important to note that during several of these matchups, Kobe was just entering his prime, while Mike was already past the peak of his legendary career, which included six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances and a record 10 scoring titles
