The final text messages between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were exchanged on Dec. 8, 2019, seven weeks before Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash that killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Prior to inducting him into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Michael Jordan recalled to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan his last text message exchange with the late Kobe Bryant. Here’s the exchange during the portion of the interview.
“This tequila is awesome,” Kobe texted, referring to Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila, a bottle of which was sent to Bryant at the launch.
“Thank you, my brother,” Jordan responded.
“Yes, sir. Family good?” Kobe replied.
“All good. Yours?”
“All good.”
Jordan smiled, then decided to have a little fun. “He was really into coaching Gigi,” MJ explains, “so I hit him up about that.”
“Happy holidays,” Jordan texted back, “and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!”
“I added that little crying/laughing emoji,” Jordan chuckles.
“Ah, back at you, man,” Kobe wrote. “Hey, coach, I’m sitting on the bench right now, and we’re blowing this team out. 45-8.”
This Saturday, Kobe Bryant will be inducted in the Hall of Fame. It was announced today that Vanessa Bryant and the great Michael Jordan will be there to speak in honor of Kobe Bryant.
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