VIDEO: Michael Jordan congratulates Kobe Bryant on an 'unbelievable' career
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Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena marked the last time "The Black Mamba" would ever hit the hardwood to take on the Hornets in Charlotte.
It was back in 1996 when Kobe Bryant was drafted out of Lower Merion High School that the Hornets selected him 13th overall before sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers, so the franchise will always have a special connection to the five-time champion's career.
Hornets owner Michael Jordan - who competed against Bryant during the twilight of his playing career - wasn't present for the game, but he did send the Lakers legend a video message which aired to fans prior to tipoff:
MJ's tribute video before the game spoke highly of Kobe. pic.twitter.com/MT3f9tVfXj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 29, 2015