Bryant’s style similar to Jordan’s, Kerr says
LOS ANGELES >> Foggy memory prevented Warriors coach Steve Kerr from rehashing any on-court moments between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
As someone who played with Jordan with the Chicago Bulls and later observed Bryant as an executive, a television analyst and a coach, however, Kerr had a unique perspective on the topic hours before Bryant’s halftime ceremony Monday night that included lifting his retired No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys into the Staples Center rafters.
How do Bryant and Jordan compare to each other?
“Kobe is the closest thing to Michael,” Kerr said. “Everybody has been compared to Michael. LeBron (James) has been compared to Michael. I don’t think LeBron is Michael at all. He’s a very different player with a different mentality and mindset. Kobe has a different mindset and mentality than MJ had.”
How so?
“The assassin, the ‘I’m going to rip your throat out with my scoring, low post dominant fadeaway jumper, and footwork,’ ” Kerr said. “Kobe’s footwork was one of the best parts of his game, probably the most underrated because everybody focused on his shooting and his athleticism. His footwork got him open. That’s where he is so similar to Michael. He got any shot he wanted. He never feared.”
• The moment instantly went viral and caught attention of many, including Bryant. Warriors guard Klay Thompson recently tossed a Gatorade bottle off a press conference table because of his endorsement with Body Armor, another sports energy drink that has business ties to Bryant.
“It’s pretty obvious why there’s not a Gatorade bottle there right now,” Bryant quipped. “They had their time.”
While Thompson shares Bryant’s business ties with Body Armor, Kevin Durant and Bryant are both Nike clients.
“I just like the way he moves at his own pace,” Durant said. “In business, it feels like it’s about who you know and it’s also about how you carry yourself. He has this personality that draws people in.”
Since retiring on April 2016, Bryant had founded his own digital storytelling company (Kobe, Inc.) and partnered with venture capitalists to form Bryant Stibel.
“Just be a part of brands that you believe in, that you believe shares the same core values as you,” Bryant said. “Everything else tends to fall in place. But you got to find a connection with brands you represent and with what they represent.”
• Kerr began his pregame availability Monday night with a notable statistic against Bryant.
“I lead Kobe in the headto-head matchup 10 to five,” Kerr said, laughing.
Kerr even outscored Bryant in their second matchup, six to five, when Kerr’s Bulls lost to Bryant’s Lakers 10690 on Feb. 2, 1997.
Despite Kerr’s team success against Bryant, the future Hall of Famer averaged 23.8 points-pergame against teams Kerr played on, including Phoenix, Cleveland, Orlando, Chicago, San Antonio and Portland. Kerr averaged three points, 0.7 rebounds and one assist in the 15 matchups.
• Bryant’s jersey retirement was especially special for second year center Damian Jones. Growing up, Jones idolized the future Hall of Famer.
However, Jones almost missed the moment to see his idol immortalized. Jones has spent most of the season with the Warriors G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, averaging 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
“It’s pretty dope,” Jones said.