Kobe Bryant: I never heard of Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant on growing up in Italy, why he never heard of Michael Jordan and learning Magic Johnson contracted HIV. Bryant says his experience growing up was out of a movie. His father played professional basketball in Italy where NBA games were not televised, so his grandfather would tape the games and send them overseas so he could watch them. Because of this, Bryant did not know who Michael Jordan was until he returned to the United States when he was 13. Kobe also discusses his devastation upon hearing the news that Magic Johnson was retiring because of his diagnosis of HIV.; taped in 2012
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[@PureKslayer]

"You have a hero and a person you look up to and he's not there anymore" we'll miss you kobe rest well💔🕊

[@pedrambabaie1178]

Pure kslayer 😞😢

[@Astelch]

Pure kslayer I didn’t follow much after basketball just knew he was doing his own thing. I saw his Oscar watched his detailed series but his death hit me hard. Miss him still

[@DeeBrownLTD]

That quote hit me

[@Chris-yw2zp]

1:10

[@exploregreer1048]

😪

[@KenshinSensei]

Damn when he talked about Magic's hiv 😥 that's it Kobe. That's how we feel about you right now

[@exploregreer1048]

😪

[@Soulandbone]

Only that is way worse man.. way way way way more . Extremely painful.

[@JoanneJaworski]

Exactly right.

[@lyricssong7151]

@@Soulandbone wayyyyy worse. I didnt eat for 2 days straight

[@quaimaboylan5175]

I Saw a person on twitter say they didn't expect Kareem Abu Jamal, Bill Russel, and Magic to outlive Kobe. Another person on twitter asked how did Magic, who has HIV, manage to outlive Kobe?

[@alansjf33]

This interviewer is outstanding. I have been watching his interviews for the past couple months. A real throwback in his style. He isn’t trying to make the interview about him yet he asked very pertinent questions. He has figured out that you can ask hard / firm questions and not be disrespectful. He steps out of the way and allows the guest to shine . Good job 👏🏿.

[@Getitgirlllll4717]

I agree

[@dalx21]

Could you imagine being the Camp Counselor who told Kobe freaking Bryant that his dream of being an NBA player isn't realistic? I wonder how that counselor feels now.

[@billingino354]

Rockstar Matt Probably feels like shit and good thing too what a dick head for trying to put down a kids dream

[@zare618]

Yeah, trash talking to Kobe never really worked out for anybody.

[@wlt3585]

Neil Parga wat

[@lamardogmatic3864]

He's probably fine if he even remembers him

[@ShaunHensley]

That is responsible advice any educator gives to young hopefuls.

[@soumyadey7387]

1:07 thats exactly how we feel about ur death Mamba ❤♾

[@cmpunk3195]

i watched this video on 81% battery power

[@coolbro7006]

I saw what you did there 👍👍

[@AdamThielenkillsbabys]

+Cool Bro i dont get it

[@coolbro7006]

+Dirty Dan Kobe's 81 point game???

[@coolbro7006]

+Dirty Dan Kobe's 81 point game???

[@OceeramehS]

+Dirty Dan HOW DONT U GET THAT????

[@rayshepherd5971]

1:08 that’s how I feel about you Kobe. I started playing basketball because of you. I loved you since I was 5 and I’m 19 now. You have done more for me than you can fathom. Gigi was a legend waiting for the world to get smart to her ability and royalty. I love you Kobe. Mamba Forever.

[@MiamiHeat305]

R.I.P Kobe 🙏🏽

[@snomelc920J]

Kobe always hella introspective and articulate

[@MrOneanddone91]

U from the bay fasho

[@RUMPELSTILTSKY]

Graham is a fantastic interviewer; the art of not interrupting the subject. Think Charlie Rose interviewing Christopher Hitchens, except the complete opposite..not that I dislike Rose or anything. Keep 'em coming, Graham!

[@GrahamBensinger]

+RUMPELSTILTSKY Thank you!

[@jordanbikes2437]

Last place I expected a Hitchens reference

[@TheFamousgirl28]

Yeah right

[@ModernAllusion]

EveryDayIsAGoodDay.

[@mr.poopybutthole9603]

RUMPELSTILTSKY nice try graham, we know that it's you

[@MikeyLan]

love how the athletes this guy interviews seem to actually be enjoying the interview. good stuff

[@oliveryasay3395]

i am a Kobe fan for life, all through out his career from his slam dunk winning contest where i started to like him until he retires i watched him play and idolize him, but one thing i never believed about him is when he says he idolized Magic. lol its pretty clear the way he plays and the way he moves, he idolize MJ.

[@HOLYCROWN7777777]

The most realistic child's dream ever. Go Ko Be The Greatest. This is a really nice interview.

[@jayjaypaybay]

Thank you Kobe. You made me proud to grow up in Los Angeles as a Laker fan. May have been a Philly kid but as soon as you put the golden jersey on, you were ours. One of Los Angeles’ favorite sons. I’ve never seen anyone pour their heart and soul out, as a representative of my hometown, more than you did. Not just the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, but the grit and grime of the hard work behind the scenes. A true Los Angeles icon. An Oscar after retirement, Gigi blossoming into a great player, you two were taken from us too soon. Mamba and Mambacita Forever

[@demon666sj]

His passing is so freaking heartbreaking 😩 his daughter and all the others! .. So so sad 😞 RIP all

[@beazy7751]

Beautiful interview RIP Kobe this is so representative of who he was

[@roxieb6880]

When I watch his interviews my eyes tear up. I still can't believe he is gone.

[@venutti]

Great interviewer, knows how to treat other people like a true gentleman does.

[@ScottHillsmusclecargarage]

I'm not familiar with the interviewer, but I am now binge watching the playlists. He is very good at his craft. I have also found a new respect for Kobe Bryant. I'm not the biggest basketball fan any more. I pretty much stopped watching when Jordan retired the 1st time. Kobe seems to be somewhat down to earth. I hope there are many more interviews to come. How about some interviews with older hockey legends and football legends.

[@GrahamBensinger]

+Scott Hill Really appreciate that, Scott. Thanks for watching!

[@flipballer3475]

MJ was already a worldwide phenomenon when he won the Slam dunk contest the first time. I don't know about Kobe, but he is MJ in another body, he mimics MJ in and out of the court.

[@gchide]

He's describing every basketball lovers' feeling when they first touch basketball, such a addictive game!

[@artymar1537]

I miss Kobe Bryant

[@AikenMailos]

Your saying exactly how we feel right now kobe. We wont get to see you anymore. Were truly devastated. May you rest in peace mamba. God bless you

[@ecoli0106]

You are already a top 5 interviewer of all time, Graham. I am very proud of you.

[@TomiAdewoleAdetom]

Good stuff! I'm enjoying this new guy - he seemingly came out of nowhere lol with these gems

[@GrahamBensinger]

+Tomi Adewole thanks, Tomi! 😜

[@thatstuff660]

Jordan taught Kobe every thing

[@rosariospina4190]

Im really angry for what happend to you ,Gianna and the rest of the passengers....you will be always in our heart Mamba❤❤❤😢😢😢

[@ciscole2831]

1:09 Kobe describes how I feel about him being gone 😢

[@TheDuck140]

0:58 damn now he's gone and I'll never see my idol in the flesh

[@amaxlite]

@Mary Cohen did he know Christ

[@Ruatsanga13]

@@amaxlite he(Kobe) claims to.... Watch his stephen A smith interview around 2004 right around the time when his rape case was dismissed

[@assassindosnueve6139]

So Kobe was a Magic fan but he plays like Mike and Lebron was a Jordan fan but he plays like Magic. Oh...kay.......

[@joshklenner1799]

Assassin DosNueve i definitely agree, but kobe plays exactly like jordan. I wouldn't say lebron plays exactly like magic, he has a style of play we have never seen. Kobe mimics jordan move for move, mimicked his work ethic, his mannerisms, etc. so for him to say he didnt know who mj was sounds like bullshit to me lol.

[@anthonythomas4836]

Josh Klenner Stop with the "we've never seen anything like him" crap, we haven't seen someone as a comparable physical specimen with the style of play he has, we HAVE seen the style of play b4 many times. If you watched hoops in the 90's you'd know wings who could pass score and rebound were styles Innovated by Pippen and Grant Hill. His style of play is neither 100% organic nor completely original.

[@devvv4616]

He said he didn't hear mj till he went to the USA. So he probably imitated him after he went to the US since MJ was then considered the best by then

[@ShaunHensley]

Anthony Thomas CWebb

[@Area-5l]

Josh Klenner you make Kobe seem like a chronic copycat syndrome.

[@troyweatherspoon4638]

Kobe & Graham. 2 of the Greats!

[@neesinlove4233]

everytime i Watch a Kobe video i check if there is messages from after he passed away, i don't know why but i love seeing all this love in the comment section

[@jeffreypham4066]

1:55 those Kobe VII though .. 👀👀👀

[@vincentbluegaming5907]

Kobe's beard though.

[@williamesneyderg]

Fresh

[@wornoutshoes11]

+william garcia those beard he again copied from MJ lol dang kobe geeezzzz...

[@Dilly_Dil1y]

+wornoutshoes11 you act if Jordan invented the beard.....

[@Br00therZ4DaHood]

+1nOnly Kb24 W

[@jamessharp9125]

+1nOnly Kb24 MJ was bald first too, Kobe stole it! xD

[@BrotherlyLove12]

Kobe seems happy talking about old family memories.

[@thereal_dlo2086]

that's how I feel about kobe leaving now. I can't watch him perform anymore 😢

[@tomasjc3]

How Kobe felt when Magic left is how I'm going feel when he leaves 😢

[@CobraAquinas]

why would this guy not allow us to see the full interviews online. It's 2016 come on man I can't wait for you to come on local tv at 11 at night on a sunday and not even see the one I want lol

[@adamabdallah2604]

I was just like Kobe but growing up in Africa shattered my dream of becoming a basketball player. I see a lot of me in him

[@adamabdallah2604]

+YOUNG LION okay young lion thanks for your advice

[@johanregalado69]

I LOVE YOU KOBE!!! FOREVER THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES!!! REST IN PEACE MAMBA!!!!

[@Hxncho_Great]

Wouldnt be a Kobe without Jordan

[@danielgreen4519]

DAMMM, Never thought about that . Kobe would've probably ben more like a penny H and G Peyton.my opinion now Kobe has no rings if he didn't watch jordan

[@Hxncho_Great]

+Daniel Green kobe took his whole game from mj they got vids on it

[@sixfiftychris]

+Daniel Green No.

[@thsu8]

+yaamanzzdee Wouldn't be a Jordan without Leroy Smith

[@Stonecoldalston]

+yaamanzzdee that goes for every player tho wouldn't be a Jordan without a DR J or Elgin Baylor list goes on for every player

[@askip9304]

RIP TO THE GOAT 🐐

[@allanhouston6759]

Kobrick is not top 10

[@sanjayrajpal2808]

Who’s here after “last dance” ? R.I.P Kobe 🙏🏾

[@jbridges7388]

yo. these videos are dope. dude knows how to ask the right questions

[@AtinsMusic]

Holy shit. Isnt this guy supposed to be Jason Richmond in NBA 2k17???? :OOO

[@FallacyUnknown]

He might be damn

[@osyreese4378]

Arron Pizza I really think so

[@exploregreer1048]

gayle needs to watch this interview so she can learn how to ask questions, and when to move on to another subject to prevent backlashes. R.I.P. KBB...

[@elianderson2261]

I love how when he talks about hearing Magic’sHIV news, he is not only said he doesn’t get to see greatness but that magic doesn’t get to continue what he loved,

[@bennyayala1538]

keep it up graham

[@Aero-Dynamic]

Great interview! You can definitely tell Graham Bensinger is a Kobe Fan!

[@GrahamBensinger]

+Cory Medina Thanks, Cory!

[@OriginalKingRichTv]

+Graham Bensinger Graham your my favorite interviewer

[@channceman3715]

This interviewer look like he from the Hunger games or some shit lmao

[@GrahamBensinger]

+Channceton Lanier Hey now... 😜

[@MrAsia43210]

+Graham Bensinger lmao hunger games ass nigga 😂

[@kingcapital621]

That makes no sense

[@2deuce1dimes0]

Graham I love your interviews, don't listen to all these haters who have no idea what a good interview sounds like. They seem to be paying too much attention to you, when in fact the reactions and responses you pull out of your guests is so genuine that I myself can't help but become entranced by them and somewhat forget that you are there - which I'm sure you're aware is the purpose of your style and makes for a wonderful interview.

[@andreacavaliere6808]

Rip Kobe and Gigi Legends Never Die Forever 💔🙏🏻❤️💛💜🖤🐍

[@jaehosong29]

Hands down the 2nd greatest NBA player of all time. Air Jordan will always be the greatest of all time. Man...DID KOBE COME CLOSE THOUGH !..KUDOS.

[@MakeufamousNDZ]

At his peak Kobe was a cold blooded assassin. He was definitely a better shooter than MJ. He would make impossible shots over defenders. He was also one of the best dunkers of all time... He would embarrass guys really bad.... #24/8👑🏀

[@prtmanprtGod]

Jae Ho Song LeBron is.

[@ivanduvok]

Ask Kobe how having small hands affected his game

[@aLeX11272423]

+ivanduvok I don't think it affected him that much considering he's gonna go down as one of the GOAT lol

[@ivanduvok]

***** It's a huge deal. Those who play ball would know

[@ivanduvok]

aLeX11272423 He'd be closer to Mike if he had the same size hands

[@ivanduvok]

***** You play my big handed crew and you will swallow your words..

[@yaiqab]

+HPM Royale What team did you play for?

[@henryjoelmakaveli]

you just won a subscriber, good job man.

[@robframe134]

There's a good life lesson here. He talks about the importance of being stubborn even after his teacher told him the probability of him going to the NBA was slim and he should consider what he really wants to do with his life.

[@ezrad3]

Gosh I hated him. But when you realize that watching him will come to an end you just sit back and smile. Greatness transcends everything.

[@user-id9ml7zc9r]

nice interview i like this guy

[@RtsFps1]

+ΚΔ ΖΑΚΥΝΘΟΥ me too, Kobe seems like an up and coming athlete. Looking forward to watching him.

[@rezziespikes7506]

ChasinFromBehind Really now? He's was in NBA since the mid to late -90's and he retired last year. You better be trolling

[@stilesjohnson1745]

Damn wish we could still hear Kobe voice man. 😢😢

[@1027srich]

I've been told by a lot of people at 4:05... One of the main reasons why Kobe Bryant is my all-time favorite player is because I can relate to him the most... #MambaMentality

[@titanstaekwondoteam]

what team played in the 1991 NBA finals?

[@BigWilt2000]

16 people who disliked this didn't even hear the whole interview. SMH

[@jakewilliams179]

This dude does the best interviews

[@alithegreatest7388]

Living legend Kobe

[@eddiepro1984]

Even you born in space, its impossible not to hear MJ's name...

[@vicvic2328]

Magic was his favorite, till he saw MJ. Then he started to learn every MJ moved.

[@Blodia1990]

⛪

[@dizzle47daking15]

😞😞😞miss you kobe everyday

[@punkin0823]

boy its amazing how michael jordan playground n come fly with me changed him knowin who mj was.

[@johnlloyds.bastasa2846]

In other interviews he keeps saying he grew up watching Mike.... 😂

[@slimthugga1]

John Lloyd S. Bastasa i mean, you can still “grow up” watching Mike if you found out about him at 12 or 13.

[@polivepea]

He was in Italy until age 13. Come on....he found out about him in his H.S. years.

[@abyss104]

You're still growing at 13 John. You can still grow up and watch Jordan at 13.

[@denisedean2446]

He did when he moved stateside at 13

[@andrewgonzalez3267]

Magic is older then mj soo...

[@BriannaCarmineAaliya]

ok, forget Italy he lived outside of philly, we all wore Jordans. You can't honestly say you never heard of Mike no matter where you go in the world. plus he kinda wore Mikes number for a bit in high school. for those of you that didn't play against him in the 90's I can see how you would believe that line, but he often ran into us ball players from neshaminy high. next he will say he never played at Vets park or popular park. I still remember my best friend Joe buonanno teaching kobe a move that he later used in the all star game. just keep it 100 kobe, nobody will think less of you

[@rayleigh8]

He's a phoney

[@jzmmm]

Jordan won his first champ in 91. That means kobe was 13. So it could be true that he didn't really hear or know of mj til he was '13 or 14'

[@rayleigh8]

By 1988, MJ was already the most famous athlete in the world

[@ermocrate]

Paul Harris Look, he returned in USA when he was 13yo in 1991, Internet wasn't a thing back then and we only watched very few games of the NBA in Italy, the "Jordan Phenom" started in Italy in the 1991. His first home video "Come fly with me" released in 1989 in USA was released here 2 years later and you have to buy it in really underground stores. I would say his sentence is correct even if he is a Laker.

[@ermocrate]

rayleigh8 nope

[@l.j.jackson3674]

Yeah big bro we know exactly what you mean! We miss you! #Mamba4Ever

[@sidz368]

1:13 😓😓I cant stop thinking about Kobe man

[@luismeza1367]

The way he felt about Magic's HIV is the way many many people feel about his passing. Saddly Kobe isn't even here.

[@abdomination]

Kobe. You're the greatest bro. Stayed with one team for life. Karl Malone should have done the same.

[@user-ov2vf9op9u]

He wanted to force a trade but the lakers didn't allow it.

[@charliechase7390]

not true. Laker4life. I know. I followed Kobe since 96. Greatest player to ever play after MJ

[@user-ov2vf9op9u]

+Charlie Chase it is true, search it up.

[@user-ov2vf9op9u]

+Charlie Chase you don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

[@elijahdreamprayer6618]

@@user-ov2vf9op9u Facts..Chicago Bulls

[@yaboyyq]

I'm excited to be there for his last game in LA.. Going to be very emotional.

[@mddljcb]

Hook me up with tickets

[@yaboyyq]

+Mark Collins skittles

[@mariaz1394]

Miss you Kobe❤❤❤

[@Raulbr21]

I dont believe Kobe at all here. He said his grandparents would send him tapes of nba games and highlights when he lived in Italy and it seems odd Jordan being one of the top players in the nba (by 88 he was mvp) he wouldn't have seen him or known about him all those years. Not to mention he visited the US like every summer and played in a lot of summer leagues so he definitely would have heard about Jordan from other kids he played against. Even in Europe Jordan was already very well known in the late 80s and early 90s.

[@grominwithrob1339]

Not to mention early 90’s the hottest kicks where Jordans.

[@DerekDwayne]

The interviewer voice is like the son of Walter from breaking bad LOL

[@GrahamBensinger]

+iDwayneTV 😬

[@MrMovie_Reviewer]

lol that's foul

[@Absalomov]

Graham Bensinger why did you even reply. Don't let that shit get to you. The interview was good 👌🏼

[@seanfelder3286]

Kobe is a NBA legendary player

[@weegeemike]

How Kobe felt about Magic's HIV announcement is how i feel about his death. I bawled like a baby for days and honestly ive never felt the same

[@justincross1247]

Beginning sounds like he's talking about himself 😢

[@bryant8914]

Dude still based he’s game of Mike.

[@dremckinney7877]

Yea when he found out about him.

[@bobbymarsh1]

Cmon Kobe MJ globalized the game and at 17 he stated that Magic and MJ were his idols love you tho Kid #kobe4ever❤️

[@manilalens9929]

We miss you Kobe! 💔💔

[@Mister.Patterson]

The interviewer talks like he's trying to talk without opening his mouth lmao

[@Mister.Patterson]

Good interview tho

[@JimmyVu415]

W

[@xx5394]

hold this W

[@shakebooty]

Maybe trying to be a ventriloquist? Great interviewer thou

[@gallardorsq]

And then he based his entire game after him

[@eda639]

gallardorsq it's weird cause he only saw post 90s jordan so that's why he was such a post scorer and mid range shooter cause if he saw young Jordan who didn't shoot or post that much and was pure athlete he would have been a different player

[@joshklenner1799]

T S if you think lebron modeled his game like jordan more than kobe then you know nothing about basketball and you lose your privilege to talk basketball forever, god speed.

[@duquettebeats6312]

gallardorsq no. It was Dr j. His father played with him

[@TheHalo2fan]

u goofy Dr.J got no post game

[@doomgrave1]

what an amazing interviewer

[@danielbeavers8701]

I have a 6 month pregnant wife. Iam naming my son Marshall Bryant or Marshall kobe. Marshall for Eminem and obviously the other for kobe. Reasons is because they were my 2 biggest inspirations in my life time. But they also are the hands down hardest workers at there craft i have ever seen. Rip! Kobe bean Bryant #blackmamba

[@adriandurlej9266]

Click bait title. But still good interview!

[@mako4874]

thats a nice jacket.

[@tonymack998]

H

[@shenyaet2556]

Rest In Peace baby

[@RussellMills1877]

We will forever miss Kobe Bryant and his passion for the game of basketball and he was a true legend. And on a side note I have a you tube channel type in Russell Mills May 22, 2017

[@jordangonen6534]

i never heard of michael jordan tital. Hows that possible they played in 2003

[@barbaratran3146]

Jordan Gonen 0:20 The title was pretty clickbait-y but Kobe explains that he didn’t know of Michael Jordan until he was 13 or 14 because he didn’t know much about basketball teams outside the region he lived in

[@mathieuvmusic]

where tf is his upper lip 😕

[@jrodjc729]

Stttoooppp 💀💀💀💀

[@JAHDCypha]

Loooooooool oh 💩

[@GhostHunterB15]

+Little Saint Oohhhhh

[@sopgent]

+Kyrie Irving Savage

[@jadariusanderson9316]

I'm dead.

[@MrElsonMachado]

R.I.P. Kobe

[@carribeanforce]

Kobe, Kobe, Kobe honor thy mother n father n you will live long on the earth.

[@bsbncandey]

🤣🤣🤣 please there are people, kids, babies even that don't reach the age of 21, some 5, what about the bible verse then? Your logic makes no sense.

[@AdamNamdar]

How could he have not known MJ, but still copy all of his moves?😂

[@Kasuga_Pedro]

Adam Namdar untill his 13 Didn’t u watch?

[@WillAnderson3rd]

This was the late 80s to maybe 1990 he was talking about. He most likely didn't know Jordan. Everything was Lakers Celtics, Bird vs. Magic back then.

[@allanhouston6759]

@@WillAnderson3rd Kobe is lying

[@qwertyzxcvbn3174]

Imagine that counselor now lmao. Bryant became arguably the greatest of all time

[@RetroEternal]

No he's top 10 but not arguably best all time lmao what world do you live in

[@chariotwofilthy8374]

Gm edagdwg thanks for sharing this history of Kobe's life sad to learn more about someone when they pass away nice person loving family no one is perfect Linda j peace ❤️💯🌈🌈❤️🌹🌹🕊️🕊️

[@rocktommason2221]

RIP Legend!