"MIKE HAD WAY MORE FAKES BACK IN HIS DAY" - WHEN LATRELL SPREWELL OBSERVED THAT KOBE BRYANT WAS SLOWING TURNING INTO MICHAEL JORDAN

Latrell Sprewell was one of the few NBA players who matched up with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Sprewell had several games against Jordan, so he was familiar with the GOAT's moves.

To his surprise, just a few years after Jordan had retired, Kobe was slowly and surely perfecting the moves that MJ made famous.

Professional scorer

In the 2002-2003 NBA season, Kobe averaged 42.3 points in an eight-game span, which translated into a 7-1 Lakers record.

Latrell and the Knicks were next in line to try to contain Kobe and the Purple and Gold. Before the game, Sprewell shared his thoughts on Kobe, whom he compared to the great Michael Jordan.

"I was in college the last time somebody did what he's doing," Sprewell said of Bryant's scoring binge. "And that was Jordan in '88."

"Mike had way more fakes back in his day," Sprewell said, per the New York Times. "His footwork. I don't think Kobe's footwork is quite where Michael's was when Mike was at his peak, in his prime. You don't know who's more athletic because when Mike was young, he could do all that stuff, but Kobe does it, too."

This is a great and objective comment from Latrell, considered one of his era's best defenders. While he gave Bryant his props, he noted that the Mamba needed to work on his footwork a little more. And knowing Kobe, he probably took it personally and polished his game even further.

Related: John Stockton recalled when Isiah Thomas called his dad amidst Dream Team drama: "I don't know if I would be big enough to do that"

Can you stop Kobe?

The New York Knicks guard also shared his thoughts on how to guard Bryant. It's easier said than done, but defenders should prevent Kobe from getting the ball.

"The way he's playing, you've just got to get the ball out of his hands," Sprewell said. "His first step, and he's gone, and he takes really long strides when he's getting by you, and he has that pull-up jumper. He's doing it all. You can't really force him one way or any of that stuff. You've just got to trap the guy and hope other guys miss shots."

Amid Sprewell's efforts, Bryant dropped 40 points on the Knicks on 45.2% shooting. He was right — you really can't stop Kobe once he gets the ball rolling. However, thanks to Alan Houston's 53 points, the Knicks defeated the Lakers 117-110. 

Related: "Dwight's eyes went blank and he drifted away" - Phil Jackson said Kobe Bryant's speech prompted Dwight Howard to leave Lakers

2024-09-15T22:22:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd