We've all heard the GOAT debate surrounding Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. In 2003, SI called King James “the chosen one” to indicate who he was aspiring to greatness. But some players who played against these icons made it clear that Kobe was a carbon copy of MJ. Phil Jackson, who trained both MJ and Kobe, also shared the same thing. So let's also hear from a player who has played an important role in both franchises.

“Well rest in peace my boy Kobe man. He's probably as close as anyone to ever competing with MJ. He was a very complete competitor. He modeled his game on walking and talking like MJ and being like MJ. And the two of them were particularly close at the end of my career,Ron Harper continued Gimme The Hot Sauce by Stacey King Podcast.

Harper came to the Bulls in 1994 and was instrumental in their second three-peat. He finished his career alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant with the Purple and Gold.

“When you watch MJ, you see him (Kobe). It's like the same thing.” The five-time NBA champion also pointed to the weight difference as a prominent factor. But Kobe Bryanthad it allsaid Harper. And the Mamba mentality was also similar to Michael Jordan's style of play. “I will compete until the end of the day and love playing like MJ all day every day.” Harper added more on the podcast.

Even Harper, Kobe and Jordan's head coach wrote something similar in his book. In “From Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson,” the Zen master wrote: “MJ just told me that Kobe is the only one who has done the work that deserves comparison.” Even fierce rival Michael Jordan himself once believed that the Lakers legend would beat him in an interesting fight.

The six-time champion chose Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as his opponents for a hypothetical 1-on-1 fight. Not only that, but he was pretty confident about not losing, but had a scare against the Black Mamba. “I don't think I would lose except for Kobe Bryant because he steals all my plays.”

Similar views on why Kobe Bryant is a copy of Michael Jordan

“Kobe Bryant was the face of the league. And he was the avatar of Michael Jordan.“In the Knuckleheads Podcast, Adrian Kirilenko made the comparison at the end of September this year. The Russian-born former NBA star made his debut when Michael Jordan was with the Wizards. Even Magic Johnson reiterated the same point earlier this year.

“Probably the guy closest to Michael Jordan, right? Because Michael is the greatest that has ever played. But Kobe, as far as the way he did it… his mannerisms like Michael, the way he approached the game like Michael.” While speaking with Jennifer Hudson, Magic also praised the Lakers' No. 24 for her contribution to women's sports.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan developed a brotherly relationship. “Without him I wouldn't be able to win five championships here because he guided me so much and gave me so much great advice.“In one of the episodes of The Last Dance, the Lakers referred to MJ as a “big brother” and praised him for his leadership throughout his career.