After being snubbed by Michael Jordan 9 years ago, five-time All-Star admits not facing Kobe Bryant was his biggest blessing

Many fans compare Michael Jordan to the late Kobe Bryant. The similarities in their playing styles are truly incredible. However, one would think NBA players would choose Jordan over Kobe as the hardest player to guard. This argument makes sense considering Jordan had more individual player accomplishments than Kobe. However, that was not the case as NBA players who played against both NBA legends were divided on who was the more difficult player to guard.

In an interview with a top sports media company, a five-time All-Star believes Kobe Bryant is harder to defend than Michael Jordan.

Five-time All-Star for guarding the late Kobe Bryant

Five-time All-Star and NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill went up against top-tier MJ and top-tier Kobe Bryant. In a 2013 interview with Bleacher Report, Grant Hill acknowledged Jordan’s skills but hailed the late Kobe Bryant as the toughest player he had to guard.

He said in a 2013 interview:Now that I’m retired, I can say I never have to see him again, Kobe. I felt like I played well and I made him work. But I’ll do it out there and he’ll still hit some crazy shots on me…even in recent years, he’s been tough.“.

Grant Hill further explained: “It’s hard to really game plan for him because he really doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses. He can go either way, he can go over the other guy’s shoulder. He can catch and shoot, and he can also dribble. A lot of people have a game plan that they need to try and stick to, and some people have tendencies… but with Kobe, it was hard to figure him out.“.

The Black Mamba is a true student of the game who has worked tirelessly to perfect his game over the years. His dedication to the game and work ethic are second to none. Not even Michael Jordan.

Kobe Bryant’s dedication to the game

Kobe Bryant joined the NBA in 1996. He entered the league after Jordan’s Chicago Bulls completed their second three-peat. As a fan of Jordan, Kobe Bryant crafted his basketball moves and definitely took inspiration from the six-time NBA champion’s game.

Many NBA fans criticized him for copying the Chicago Bulls legend, but Kobe Bryant was a completely different story. He took inspiration from a player considered one of the best players in basketball history. But he didn’t stop there. With an incredible work ethic and a championship heart, he works tirelessly to improve his craft.

He’s finally reached the point where he has almost no weaknesses offensively. He took Michael Jordan’s skills and incorporated them into his own. In his prime, Kobe Bryant was nearly unstoppable offensively. He always has a choice, even if he’s double-teamed. So it makes sense that NBA veterans like Grant Hill consider the late great Kobe Bryant to be the hardest player to guard.

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What are your thoughts on NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill’s views? Let us know in the comments below!