Michael Jordan on Kobe: ‘He was like a little brother to me’

Maybe the best NBA player of all-time, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, released a statement on Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing on Jan. 26.

Two all-time great shooting guards in the NBA, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, got to play against each other a handful of times. MJ essentially passed the torch to Kobe once he retired as the face of the NBA. Kobe was also one of the best players in the NBA over the course of the last two decades. He went down as a top three player through the first two decades after the turn of the century too.

The somber news that Kobe passed away in a helicopter crash over Calabasas, CA, on Jan. 26 shook the basketball world and was possibly the most shocking tragedies in sports since the turn of the century. He was just 41-years-old when he passed over the weekend, and his NBA career ended just over three years ago.

After the passing of Kobe was reported on TMZ originally and then confirmed later by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the former Bulls legend MJ released a statement on his thoughts and immediate reaction.

Here’s what MJ had to say on the matter of Kobe passing away this weekend and what legacy he will leave behind.

"I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball. Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world."

In the helicopter crash, Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also killed. The total number of people killed in the crash is reportedly up to nine. At one point, it was five people that were presumed dead in the crash but that number kept rising.

The Lakers have two of Kobe’s jersey numbers hung up in the rafters at the Staples Center. Kobe is truly one of the best players to ever play in the NBA. He will be truly missed, and is at least one of the three best shooting guards of all-time along with MJ.