Legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson explains main differences between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are widely recognised as two of the best basketball players in the history of the game.

They won 11 NBA championships between them and fans continue to debate which of them is the true GOAT.

Legendary coach Phil Jackson had a big impact on the careers of both players, first as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998 where he and Jordan won six rings together.

He then moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he coached Bryant to five titles.

Jackson is therefore uniquely placed to analyse what makes each player great, and in the differences between Jordan and Bryant on and off the court.

In one key area, it is Jordan who comes out on top.

Jackson believes that it is the five-time league MVP who was the better leader, because his very presence could influence the team whereas Bryant had far less experience in the role.

In his memoir, “Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success,” written after his retirement with Hugh Delahanty, Jackson wrote: “One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was Michael’s superior skills as a leader. Though at times he could be hard on his teammates, Michael was masterful at controlling the emotional climate of the team with the power of his presence. Kobe had a long way to go before he could make that claim. He talked a good game, but he’d yet to experience the cold truth of leadership in his bones, as Michael had in his bones.”

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were once opponents as well as friends (Credit:Getty)

Bryant skipped his college career and declared for the NBA draft straight after high school. He made his debut with the Lakers at 18 years old and therefore Jackson believes he had to learn how to be a leader over time.

“Increasingly, Kobe put more energy into getting to know the other players, especially when the team was on the road,” Jackson said. “It was as if the other players were now his partners, not his personal spear-carriers.”

Bryant was named the league MVP in 2008 and finished his career with two NBA Finals MVP picks.