Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour made a stop in Charlotte on Monday, meaning he was facing the team that drafted him in 1996. It’s also the team owned by the man Bryant patterned his game after, Michael Jordan.
Prior to the Lakers’ game against the Hornets, Jordan paid tribute to Bryant with a recorded message that played at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Jordan was not on hand to see the game, but congratulated Bryant on an “unbelievable career.” Jordan went on to call Bryant a “big help to the game of basketball” and admitted he is a big fan of Bryant and loves watching him play.
For many, Jordan and Bryant will go down as the top two shooting guards in NBA history. They will forever be compared, and not just for their style of play. Bryant’s love letter to basketball was similar to the one written by Jordan.
Bryant will receive more tributes before the season (and his career) comes to an end. However, this one will likely be among the more meaningful.
