Kobe is Jordan in the minds of fans born in the 1990s, because they have never seen Jordan play

On May 8, Kobe Bryant, this name is not only a basketball player's code name for fans born in the 1990s, but also a symbol of faith and spirit. In the hearts of many post-90s fans, Kobe is Michael Jordan of their era. This is not a belittlement of Jordan, but a supreme recognition of Kobe. Because fans born in the 1990s did not witness Jordan's glory on the court with their own eyes, but they witnessed Kobe's rise, peak and legend throughout the process.

Kobe's career began in 1996, when he just graduated from high school and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick in the first round, and was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. From that moment on, Kobe embarked on a legendary journey that could be recorded in the history of basketball. His career spans 20 years, from the young "Peter Pan" to the mature "Black Mamba", Kobe conquered generations of fans with his efforts, persistence and desire for victory.

For fans born in the 1990s, Kobe's existence is not only because of his skills, but also because of his spirit. His "Mamba Mentality" has become the driving force for countless young people to pursue their dreams. Kobe once said: "If you are afraid of failure, then you have failed." This never-give-up attitude has deeply influenced the generation born in the 1990s. As they grew up, they witnessed how Kobe rose in adversity, how he persisted in injuries, and how he proved himself in doubt. The 81-point miracle against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the Redemption Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the bloody battle in the tiebreak in the 2010 Finals... These classic moments have become indelible memories in the hearts of fans born in the 1990s.

And the comparison between Kobe and Jordan has always been a hot topic in the basketball world. Jordan is the god of basketball, and his achievements are unmatched - 6 championships, 6 finals MVPs, 5 regular season MVPs, 10 scoring champions... These honors make Jordan the greatest player in basketball history. But for fans born in the 1990s, Jordan's legend is more learned through video and the narrative of his parents, while Kobe is the superstar they witnessed with their own eyes. Kobe's game style, technical moves and even paranoid about victory are very similar to Jordan. His back jump shot, his breakthrough, and his defense all have the shadow of Jordan, but he has developed his own unique style on this basis.

Kobe and Jordan are both mentors and friends. Jordan once publicly stated that Kobe is the only one who can beat him in a one-on-one challenge. Kobe never hides his admiration for Jordan. He studies every game video of Jordan, learns his skills, and even imitates his way of speaking. But Kobe is not satisfied with being the "next Jordan", what he wants to do is the "first Kobe". This spirit of both inheritance and transcendence has allowed Kobe to occupy an irreplaceable position in the hearts of post-90s fans.

On April 14, 2016, Kobe scored 60 points in his last game of his career and bid farewell to the NBA in the most Kobe-like way. At that moment, countless fans born in the 1990s were in tears because they knew that their youth had come to an end. On January 26, 2020, Kobe unfortunately passed away in a helicopter accident, and the whole world was shocked. His sudden departure made the fans of the post-90s realize more deeply that Kobe is not only their idol, but also their spiritual mentor on their growth path.

Now, Kobe's name is always mentioned when people discuss who is "the closest to Jordan". But for fans born in the 1990s, Kobe is Jordan of their era. Instead of living in Jordan's shadow, he defined greatness in his own way. He spent his 20-year career telling the world that legends can be passed down, but legends can also be rewritten.

Kobe's story is the collective memory of fans born in the 1990s. He doesn't have the perfect ending like Jordan, but his tenacity, his persistence, and his love make his legend more real and moving. Fans born in the 1990s may not have experienced the era of Jordan, but they are fortunate to witness Kobe's era. And Kobe is the undisputed basketball god in their hearts.