Michael Jordan honours Kobe with tribute video

Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour stopped off in Charlotte on Monday night and the Hornets had a very special video tribute for the retiring Los Angeles Lakers legend (Chuck Burton/AP)

Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour stopped off in Charlotte on Monday night and the Hornets had a very special video tribute for the retiring Los Angeles Lakers legend.

Hornets owner and NBA legend Micheal Jordan sent his own personal blessings to Bryant.

“I just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career,” Jordan said in his tribute. “When I look back at the first time we actually played each other, the competitive drive that I saw within your eyes, even though the knowledge wasn’t quite there yet, was very invigorating. …

“You’ve been a big help to the game of basketball. You’ve helped the NBA. You’ve helped promote it. You’ve got a lot of fans all over the world. I am a big fan, I still love watching you play. I’m very, very happy for you and what you’ve accomplished in the game.”

Watch the entire tribute video below:

While every team has something special lined up to pay tribute to Bryant, Charlotte’s was a little more special for two reasons.

For one, he was drafted by the Hornets with the 13th-overall pick in the 1996 draft, but ended up on the Lakers when his draft rights were traded for Vlade Divac.

Bryant’s connection with Jordan is also very significant, as evidenced by the six-time champion taking the time to personally make a video tribute to Bryant.

In the video Jordan refers to Bryant as his “little brother.” This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone given how visibly Bryant modeled his game after Jordan’s – from the post-game and the fadeaway, right up to his signature competitive fire.

Not all was good for Bryant on Monday, however. His Lakers lost 108-98 to the Hornets, despite his 20-point effort.

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