Lamar Odom picks Kobe Bryant over LeBron James for a prudent reason: “Kobe Bryant was the only one that was chasing Michael Jordan's greatness”

Kobe Bryant remains one of the all-time greats in the sport of basketball. That's just how former LA Lakers teammate Lamar Odom sees it as well.

Bryant was measured as one of the top shooting guards to step on an NBA court. The only one considered better by his peers was the player that Bryant was chasing in terms of greatness. It was none other than Chicago Bulls and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Both Bryant and Michael Jordan are known as two of the most competitive players the sport has ever seen. While Bryant was coming into his own as a young talent, Jordan was in the latter half of his career. Kobe looked up to Jordan, trying to pick apart his game to become the best version of himself.

The debate for the greatest of all time often mentions Jordan and current LA Lakers superstar LeBron James. On "The Bootleg Kev" podcast, Lamar Odom was asked about his thoughts regarding James, Jordan and Bryant.

Odom said he would pick Kobe over LeBron James.

"Kobe Bryant," Odom said. "And the reason why I'm picking Kobe Bryant because Michael Jordan set the bar and Kobe Bryant was the only one that was chasing Michael Jordan's greatness, and it was obvious from his walk from the fade away, his will to win. Motherf***er had 81 points, man."

Lamar Odom praises former teammate Kobe Bryant

It didn't take long before the mutual respect between Kobe and Michael Jordan began. Bryant was one of the league's top rising stars. At the age of 19 years old, Kobe was named to his first All-Star team.

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Jordan understood that Bryant had the talent, but also realized that he was still so young. Kobe went on to do everything in his power to become a mirror image of Michael Jordan on the court. Both players are still considered two of the top two-way superstars to ever play the game.

It's always fascinating to compare some of the NBA's legends. Many in the basketball world have compared LeBron James to Michael Jordan. Others believe that Kobe deserves to have his name in the conversation.

While Jordan might be considered as the runaway favorite for the greatest basketball player of all time, he has some competition. A five-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP by the name of Kobe should be in the mix as well.