Hornets' sting fuels Kobe's 'killer instinct'

Charlotte trade pushed All-Star to new level

Kobe Bryant says his passion for winning was shaped in part by the snubbing he received from the team that drafted him into the NBA back in 1996.

Bryant was just 17 and fresh out of high school when he sat down immediately following the entry draft with head coach Dave Cowens of the Charlotte Hornets who had selected him with the 13th overall pick.

"Charlotte never wanted me. (Dave) Cowens told me he didn't want me. It wasn't a question of me even playing here," Bryant said after his farewell tour with the Los Angeles Lakers made a stop in Charlotte on Monday night, where the Hornets beat the Lakers 108-98.

Five-time NBA champion Bryant said the slight he received from former Boston Celtics star Cowens helped shape his championship character.

"I mean, I had grown up watching basketball. I knew who Dave Cowens was and was pretty excited," Bryant said.

"Then I was like, 'Oh, all right'. I quickly transitioned from smiley kid to killer instinct."

After the draft, Charlotte traded Bryant to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.

Bryant announced recently he is retiring from the NBA at the end of the current season.

Besides his five championship rings with the Lakers, Bryant has won two NBA finals MVP awards, two NBA scoring titles and was named an All-Star 17 times in his brilliant career.

Bryant drew thunderous applause throughout the evening from a sellout crowd of 19,632, the largest for a regular-season game at the Time-Warner Cable Arena.

The Hornets saluted him before the game, with team owner Michael Jordan delivering a videotaped message.

Bryant finished with a team-high 20 points in the loss and said he was moved by the cheers from the crowd.

"It's been like that in every city, fortunately," Bryant said.

"Here it is a little different because this is the city that drafted me. The journey started here. As brief as it was .... so it has more value to it."

Lakers coach Byron Scott said Bryant deserves the respect he is getting in all the cities the Lakers have visited.

"It's been remarkable," Scott said. "The fans are showing him a lot of love, and rightly so. He's put in 20 hard years and given everything he's got, every single night.

"I think what the fans are doing everywhere we go so far is just showing their appreciation. I think it's a beautiful thing."

Star shock

Bryant was stunned to learn he is the runaway leader in fan voting for the 65th NBA All-Star Game as he battles through his 20th and final season with a lackluster Lakers.

Amid debate earlier this month on whether he deserved an 18th All-Star appearance, Bryant said it would be "great" to play once more in the mid-season exhibition, but said he would support the showcase no matter what.

When early returns were announced on Friday, Bryant led the likes of reigning MVP Stephen Curry of Golden State and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.

"I was like, 'What the hell?'" the 37-year-old said. "Shocked doesn't do it justice. It's exciting. What can I say? Just thankful."

Praise from MJ

Michael Jordan paid tribute to Bryant in a pre-game video before Monday night's matchup.

Jordan, who owns the Hornets, did not attend the game but made sure the retiring Bryant got a warm send off from the Charlotte organization.

"I'm a big fan," said Jordan. "I still love watching you play."

In the video, Jordan describes the 37-year-old Bryant as a "big help to the game of basketball".

He then refers to him as a little brother.

"We are very proud of what you have accomplished over the years.

"Have a great game - but not too good."

Jordan competed against Bryant in the latter part of his brilliant NBA career.