As Kobe Bryant was set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Michael Jordan, the iconic player from the Chicago Bulls, revealed the last text messages he had with the late Kobe Bryant before his untimely death.
In an interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullen, Jordan shared the exchange that occurred in December 2019, just over a month before Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash.
Here is an excerpt from MacMullan’s article on ESPN+:
The last text message, dated December 8, 2019, bears witness to their bond. Kobe texted Jordan about his enjoyment of Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila, which had been sent to Bryant at the launch event.
“Thanks, my brother,” Jordan responded.
“Yes, sir. How’s the family?” Kobe inquired.
“All good. And yours?”
“All good.”
“Wishing you happy holidays,” Jordan replied, “and looking forward to catching up soon. Hey, Coach Kobe??!”
“I included that crying/laughing emoji,” Jordan chuckled.
“Right back at you,” Kobe replied. “Hey, coach, I’m currently on the bench, and we are crushing the opponent 45–8.”
“I find that text so endearing as it showcases Kobe’s competitive spirit,” Jordan reflected.
“People might have been surprised by our deep friendship,” Jordan remarked on ESPN.com. “But we were indeed very close friends. Everyone always wanted to draw comparisons between us, but all I wanted was to talk about Kobe.”
Jordan will have the honor of presenting Kobe Bryant at the 2020 Naismith stay tuned Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, May 15th.
