The 1998 NBA All-Star Game was a big moment for a young Kobe Bryant. The 19-year-old was voted in as a starter despite coming off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers that season which meant he was set to face off with the man he looked up to most in Michael Jordan.
The Lakers had already finished off their season series with the Chicago Bulls and with most assuming Jordan would be retiring after the 1997-98 campaign, the All-Star Game stood as likely the last time Bryant would get the chance to face off with Jordan.
Kobe, in his first All-Star Game, was determined to make an impact and there was no better way than to be able to go at the greatest player of all-time, and his intent on doing so stood out to Jordan during the contest.