In a way, this is Kobe’s fault. Jordan created his own myth, much like Russell or Magic, but it has legs because the ultimate crafter of self-myth incorporated it into his own. Essentially, Kobe built his legacy around an anointing by Jordan, something Michael abetted himself, which wasn’t about Kobe succeeding Jordan as much as Kobe being an almost equal who channels the greatness into his own success. Jordan might be legendary for his work ethic, but Kobe is the one writing an academy award winning animated short about it. Kobe deified Jordan to build his own legend.