The latest stop on the Kobe Bryant retirement tour was a visit to Charlotte and it came with a special message from His Airness himself.
Michael Jordan, the Hornets' current chairman, had a special video tribute for Bryant in his last game in Charlotte. The Hornets selected Bryant with the 13th overall pick in 1996 before trading him to the Lakers.
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"Kobe, MJ. I'm sorry I couldn't be there tonight," Jordan said in the beginning of the 1-minute, 40-second tribute, according to ESPN. "I just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career. I think, when I look back, and the first time we actually played against each other, and the competitive drive that I saw within your eyes ... is very invigorating. And I'm very happy to leave you this message to say how much we are very proud of what you've accomplished over the years."
Bryant's career has been so successful, that he's actually drawn comparisons to Jordan, but the "Black Mamba's" legacy will never quite measure up to the former Bulls great. The tribute aired prior to the contest, in which Bryant went on to score 20 points in the Lakers' 108-98 loss.
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Jordan bests Bryant in most categories, including NBA championships (6-5), NBA Finals MVPs (6-2) and NBA MVPs (5-1). Jordan also never lost in the NBA Finals, while Bryant is 5-2.
In 1,072 regular season games, Jordan finished tied for first in NBA history with 30.1 points per game, while Bryant ranks ninth with 25.2 through 1,308. One place where the "Black Mamba" excelled in his career was the All-Star Game as his 17 appearances dwarf Jordan (14).
Though Bryant didn't have as great of a career as Jordan, the two NBA greats have a lot of respect for one another and the Lakers legend appreciated the message.
"It was awesome. It was awesome," Bryant said. "We talk fairly often. I know he's enjoying a little vacation time. I told him I was a little jealous. He said, 'You'll be here soon enough.'"
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