Kobe Bryant: Michael Jackson 'Helped Mentor Me'

As the world mourns the loss of Michael Jackson, giants from the entertainment and athletic realm have publicly stated their sadness and deep appreciation for the pop culture icon and music legend. Kobe Bryant, four-time NBA champion, and All-Star guard of the Los Angeles Lakers, recently spoke to MTV and CNN about the impact Jackson had on his life. Bryant revealed during a Michael Jackson video retrospective that he has had several conversations with the King of Pop prior to his unexpected death on June 25. "I think it's probably deeper than people would expect, actually," Bryant said. "Being out here in L.A., I had numerous conversations, just over the phone and also at his house, just talking about work ethic and paying attention to details. Not skipping steps." Bryant and Jackson have a lot more in common than people realize. Aside from being hailed as the best in their chosen profession, Bryant and Jackson are both ultra-competitive and always in constant pursuit of perfection. They ... (link)