Earlier this month, Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list. And while MJ sent out a congratulatory statement to Kobe after it happened, most people assumed that MJ was not thrilled about Kobe catching up to him on the list. But according to Kobe, who spoke with reporters in Chicago after last night's Lakers game against the Bulls, MJ actually provided him with some words of encouragement after he accomplished the feat—and even told him that his next goal should be to pass Karl Malone on the list.

"'Go get Karl,'" Kobe said MJ told him. "The competitor never stops."

Kobe also told reporters that he was "thankful" for players like MJ after he moved up on the scoring list.

"It was more of a thankful feeling to Michael and the players who came before because I've learned so much from them," he said. "And I don't say that lightly. I've literally just stolen [stuff] from them—like spin moves and pull-ups. It's not me passing these players. It's us."

Do you think Kobe will be able to catch Malone on the list? At this point, it's a little bit of a longshot, seeing as how he would need to average about 25 points over 180 games in order to do it. But we fully expect Kobe to do everything in his power to try and pass The Mailman.

[via Eye on Basketball]

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