Nike ad campaign nicknamed Michael Jordan the 'Black Mamba' years before Kobe Bryant adopted the persona If not for Michael Jordan's fear of snakes, he likely would have been known as the NBA's "Black Mamba." Content Original Link: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nike-ad-campaign-nicknamed-michael-jordan-the-black-mamba-years-before-kobe-bryant-adopted-the-persona-161813416.html