Kobe Bryant and Michael (B.) Jordan Duke it Out in Apple TV Ad #TBT

Kobe fan or not, we can all wish throwing it back to this Apple TV ad would bring the Black Mamba back to his glory days in Los Angeles—scoring 60 points in his final game, there’s no denying that his competitive spirit is going to be missed. But it’s time to make room for other up-and-comers like Michael Jordan, Michael B. Jordan, that is. The Creed and Friday Night Lights actor takes his job seriously and just might become one of the great method actors of our time (dare we say, GOAT?), which is why, according to the ad, he’s set to play Kobe Bryant in an upcoming biopic film.

Like another recent Apple ad starring Alison Brie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, TWBA\Media Arts Lab sets the scene in a Hollywood trailer, where Michael B. Jordan and Kobe are getting comfy-cozy on the couch, trying to dissect Kobe Bryant’s career by watching film clips and movies on Bryant’s Apple TV. Boomshakalaka.

Notorious for his killer instinct on the court, Bryant’s tenacity is evident even in this 60-second spot when Michael B. Jordan’s character research goes awry, at least according to Kobe. Jordan is trying to get into full character, wearing one of Kobe Bryant’s high school uniforms from Lower Marion. Kobe is trying to give Jordan the best insight into his headspace as a young player by opening up highlights on the NBA App, with Siri’s help, of course. The omniscient Siri is just one of the many Apple TV products featured in the ad.

Jordan, and the film directors, have ideas of their own. Jordan flips from the NBA App to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” There’s also no denying the Kobe’s past his prime, and Jordan’s character is going to reflect more of an old-man Brad Pitt than a young Kobe. Not sure why anyone would disagree with being compared to old-Brad, but Kobe does and kicks Michael B. out of the trailer, where Black Mamba will live out his retirement watching Apple TV and working on his comedic timing for TV commercials—like Shaquille O’neal for Icy Hot.