Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are widely regarded as two of the greatest players in NBA history, each winning multiple titles and accolades during their illustrious careers. Despite their mutual respect and competitive spirit, Bryant often declined Jordan’s invitations to play golf, a decision rooted in Jordan’s notorious competitiveness.
Bryant, who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships, revealed in an old interview why he opted out of these golf outings. “Michael is competitive in all things that don’t make sense,” Bryant explained, as per Basketball Network. “He would try to get me to play golf all the time. ‘Mike, I know about you. I’ve written book reports about you in elementary school. I know you started playing golf in North Carolina. So that means if I’m doing the math, you’ve been playing golf for like a hundred years. I have not picked up a golf club ever. The last thing you’re going to do is get me on a golf course and annihilate me. Not gonna do it.’”
Bryant’s decision underscores his awareness of Jordan’s relentless competitive nature, which extended beyond basketball. Jordan’s competitiveness was famously displayed during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. According to NBA photographer Nathaniel Butler, Jordan had a ping-pong table delivered to his room and did not speak to anyone for two days after losing to Duke Blue Devils’ Christian Laettner. “Come to find out, he had a ping-pong table delivered up to his room,” Butler recalled. “No one knew about it. And he was practicing for the rematch. They had a rematch two days later, three days later. It was (something like) 21-4. He destroyed him.”
Bryant’s anecdote highlights the deep respect he had for Jordan, acknowledging his competitive spirit while also choosing not to engage in activities where he felt at a disadvantage. This decision reflects Bryant’s own strategic mindset and his focus on maintaining a level playing field in areas where he could compete on equal terms.
Both Bryant and Jordan will forever be remembered not only for their basketball prowess but also for their unyielding drive and determination. Their legacies continue to inspire new generations of athletes, demonstrating the power of competitiveness and excellence both on and off the court.
