When you talk about NBA shooting guards, two names are always at the top of the list: Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. These two didn’t just play the game; they defined what it means to be a scoring machine in the league. Their careers overlapped for a short time, but the influence they had on the game and on their opponents? That’ll last forever.
For Mitch Richmond, a six-time All-Star who played alongside and against the best of the best, Jordan and Kobe weren’t just players he faced—they were forces of nature. Richmond spent his prime years with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, but his battles with the likes of Jordan and Bryant left a lasting impression on him. And if you ask him, it’s clear: they both created the same kind of fear for opposing teams.
The Relentless Drive for Victory
What set Jordan and Bryant apart wasn’t just their crazy skills—it was their mindset. Both of these legends had a fire in them that burned hotter than anyone else on the court. From day one, they were known for their insane work ethic. Whether it was the early mornings or late nights, they never stopped pushing themselves.
The similarities don’t stop there. As their careers evolved, Jordan and Bryant didn’t just rely on their athleticism—they adapted. By the time their primes hit, both were absolutely deadly in the mid-range with those iconic fadeaways. And while Phil Jackson may have had his preferences between the two, there’s no denying that the success of Jordan and Bryant in his system proved how deadly they were as competitors.
Richmond was in the thick of it, facing off with both of them. “If you didn’t make Michael work, he was gonna embarrass you. One thing you know, he was coming at you every night. Kobe had that same thing,” Richmond shared. “All the greats had that; they were thirsty to score. You had to make your defenders say, ‘This dude is crazy!’” And that’s what made them so dangerous—their mental game was just as strong as their physical one.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
Fast forward to today, and the NBA is still stacked with talent at the shooting guard position. One name that’s quickly rising to the top is Anthony Edwards. If you watch him play, you’ll notice that same “I’m coming for you” mentality that Jordan and Bryant made famous. And he’s not alone. The influence of these two legends is still felt in the way today’s players approach the game.
It doesn’t matter that Jordan and Bryant have both long since retired; their legacies continue to shape the future of the league. Young players like Edwards are soaking in the lessons from the past, and you can bet that the next generation of superstars will keep the torch burning bright.
With stories from legends like Mitch Richmond, it’s clear that the future of the NBA is in great hands. As these young players learn and grow, they’ll carry forward the legacies of Jordan and Bryant, ensuring that the next wave of talent continues to raise the bar for what it means to be a true shooting guard.
