The Michael Jordan-Kobe Bryant debate will linger in barbershops and barrooms across America.

But one Chicagoan who has worked closely with both NBA icons declares their respective qualities a tie, at least in one important category.

"Their training habits are so similar. They are both extremely motivated and they are willing to listen and they are willing to participate, which is a key thing," said Tim Grover, who has been the personal trainer for both superstars through his state-of-the-art Attack Athletics facility on the West Side.

Bryant, who was named MVP of the NBA Finals that the Lakers won Sunday night against Orlando, had summoned Grover to travel with him throughout the playoffs.

"To have an individual of his magnitude reach out to you and say, 'Hey, listen, I need your services,' that says a lot about the person when you are at the top of your game and you are still willing to get better," Grover said.

The buzz throughout the playoffs was that Bryant seemed more determined than ever to notch a fourth title.

"I was hired and brought out there for that sole purpose, to help him get that championship," said Grover. "Anything short of that would have been a failure on both of our parts."

Grover claims Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, Michael Finley, Quentin Richardson and Shawn Marion among his clients. About 75 NBA players are expected to train at the 60,000-square-foot Attack Athletics this summer. Grover started Attack Athletics when he began working with Jordan in 1989.

"We have a few sayings: 'We can't make you show up, we can't make you work. We can't make you work hard, and we can't make you listen to what we do. But all of the great ones do those things,' " he said.