The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, just a few days after pulling out a victory against them on Sunday at Staples Center.
While MVP contender Kevin Durant has been available for the Thunder all season, the Lakers best player has played in just six games this season due to injuries, and has been ruled out for the remainder of this season. Kevin Durant recently reflected on Bryant’s skills.
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According to Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, Durant had some high praise for Bryant and compared him to a former NBA superstar:
Of course. He’s the greatest of all time. His skill is second to none. Him and MJ are neck and neck as far as skill. You can put in athleticism and be the best passer and strongest and quickest. But it’s about skill. I think that’s how his game is played. That’s why Kobe is the top two best ever in just having skill, footwork, shooting the three, shooting the pull up, posting up, dunking on guys and ball handling. It’s flat out skill. Him and Jordan are 1 and 1 a. They’re neck and neck as far as the skills are concerned.
Many of today’s young NBA superstars grew up watching Bryant, rather than Jordan, and all respect the Laker guard very highly. While Bryant is pursuing his sixth NBA championship to tie Jordan, Bryant has been climbing the ranks of NBA history in points and other categories.
The two have often been compared, with Jordan usually getting a slight nod because of his extra championship. While it is tough to compare players from different eras, Bryant was always touted as the “next Michael Jordan” and has become the top player of his era.
Durant holds Bryant in high regard and shows the respect to him that Bryant has earned, considering Bryant a type of mentor.
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