NBA icon Kobe Bryant had no doubt when asked who would win between him and legend Michael Jordan.

The night 13-year-old Kobe Bryant met Michael Jordan - Los Angeles Times

Bryant and Jordan are both regarded as two of the greatest basketball players of all time alongside icons like LeBron James, Larry Bird and Steph Curry.

Both men won five or more NBA Championships and several Most Valuable Player awards during their careers.

But when asked who was better out of him and Jordan, Bryant did not hesitate with his answer.

Speaking on The Last Dance Netflix series in 2019, Bryant said: “He’s like my big brother.

“I truly hate having discussions about who would win one-on-one… what you get from me is from him. I don’t get five championships without him ‘cause he guided me so much.”

Bryant won five NBA Championships during his 20 year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and claimed the MVP award during the 2008 season.

Whereas Jordan won six Championships and was received five MVP awards in his 19 year career, which included two retirements in the middle of his NBA career.

Additionally, ‘MJ’ won all six of the NBA finals that he competed in, further highlighting his ability and explaining why most people would argue that he is the GOAT.

But debate remains over who follows him in the rankings of the best basketball players of all time, with many choosing between Bryant and James.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan played against each other several times during this careers. (Image: Getty)Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan played against each other several times during this careers. (Image: Getty)
And Jordan himself has previously weighed in on this debate as, when asked to pick between the two by veteran sports analyst Ahmad Rashad, he explained his thought process.

“In terms of dominance of the game of basketball, at this stage it’s LeBron,” Jordan said in 2013.

“Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant. He wants it so bad and he’s willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a point guard at the age of 34, playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes, that’s ludicrous.

“He’s cursed as much as I am.”

But when pushed to decide, he concluded that, at the time, Bryant’s five championship rings were better than James’ one.

However, since then James has gone on to win a further three NBA championships, keeping the debate alive.