In 1998, Michael Jordan made history in a spectacular NBA All-Star game against Kobe Bryant.
As Air Jordan publicly challenged the 19-year-old Kobe in his second season in the NBA, both legends became stronger.
“That little Laker boy is going to want to play one-on-one with everybody,” Jordan said.
Jordan’s Eastern Conference team won 135-114 in a game at the famed Madison Square Garden in front of 18,323 spectators.
What a game it was.
“Michael is still Michael,” Bryant said. “I mean that was ’98. I mean, he was the guy.”
Air Jordan was in his prime, on the verge of winning his fifth NBA MVP and sixth Finals trophy.
Bryant was playing in his first All-Star Game and was eager to show the world he could go up against the legend the young Laker grew up idolizing.
“I grew up watching Michael on TV,” Bryant said. “Now you get a chance to go face to face with him. You get a chance to really see, touch and feel the power, speed and agility.”
Jordan’s signature intensity did not disappoint.
His inner fire was later revealed in locker room video taken before a star-studded game that included Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone, Grant ·Hill, Shawn Kemp, Reggie Miller and Penny Hardaway.
“He (Kobe) doesn’t let the game get to him. He just goes out there and takes it,” Jordan said in the locker room. “I’m going to make it happen. I’m going to make it a one-on-one game.”
Fans love to see the professional intensity between the two superstars.
“‘That Lakers boy.’ Jordan is annoying,” one fan posted.
“Not hate. He has to earn his honor,” another fan wrote.
“Kobe and Jordan play almost identically,” a third fan posted. “It’s crazy how similar they are.”
Jordan, the biggest star in the world’s most famous arena, finished with 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
But Bryant was equally impressive, playing beyond his years, scoring a team-high 18 points and adding six rebounds, one assist and two steals.
“A lot of people are calling him the next Michael Jordan,” one announcer said.
Jordan’s team won the 1998 All-Star Game, he won the MVP that year, and the Bulls dynasty won its final world championship.
But young Kobe had a coming-out party at MSG, competing with Jordan to be the best athlete on the court.
“I’m going to let him make a difference here,” Jordan said before the game.
“It was fun out there,” Bryant later recalled.