Kobe recalls first game against MJ
Kobe Bryant joined legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma's podcast, Holding Court with Geno Auriemma, and opened up on his mindset heading into his first game against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls back in 1996.
Bryant was only 18 years old and had played only 18 career games before arriving at the United Center, but he told Auriemma he planned on destroying Jordan in the game - until MJ dunked on him.
Via Lakers Nation:
"I was thinking in my mind, I didn't care. I'm going to destroy this guy. I don't care if I'm 18, I'm coming for blood.
And the first thing he did, they ran a fifth-down sequence in the triangle. He caught the ball in the corner and he made his little pirouette spin that he does and sneaks baseline. I fell for it, and he went by me and dunked it.
I remember just laughing to myself all the way up the court. I've seen that move thousands of times and I can't believe I just fell for it. And then after that, it was like, 'OK, let's get to work.' Every time I faced him I wanted to see how he was going to respond to his same moves."
H. DARR BEISER/USA TODAY file photo
The Lakers blew a huge lead in the game and were outscored 33-15 in the fourth quarter by Jordan's Bulls, who pushed the game to overtime and eventually won 129-123. Jordan finished with 30 points, while Bryant was only on the floor for 10 minutes and scored 5 points.
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