Los Angeles Lakers

Michael Jackson had some sage advice for then-18-year-old Kobe

Published Feb. 23, 2016 5:24 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

We all assume that the MJ who had the biggest influence on Kobe Bryant was Michael Jordan. But the Black Mamba revealed that Michael Jackson also helped shape him into the legend he would become.

On "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel", Kobe revealed that the King of Pop reached out to him when he was still an 18-year-old NBA rookie. Jackson let him know to just be himself (via Real Sports press release):

Kobe's focus has become legendary -- almost maniacal -- and it's part of the reason the man will walk away with five championship rings.