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Lakers: Michael Jordan noticed Kobe Bryant’s great potential early on

When one time travels back to the 1997-98 campaign, Los Angeles Lakers youngster Kobe Bryant was a rather raw talent, to say the least. Many already understood just how supremely athletic Kobe was, but not many necessarily thought Bryant was a polished product.

However, one of the first real glimpses people saw of Kobe came on December 17, 1997. The Lakers were on the road against the world champion Chicago Bulls. To no surprise, all eyes were going to be on this lanky, but gifted teenager and none other than Michael Jordan.