MJ praises Kobe 
Michael Jordan paid tribute to Kobe Bryant (pictured) in a pre-game video before Monday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets. 
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. 
Bryant announced recently he would retire at the end of the 2015-16 season. 

Currying disfavour 
Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, now working as an ABC television commentator, provoked a storm with clumsy Christmas Day comments on Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. 
In a backhanded compliment, Jackson said during the broadcast of the Warriors’ holiday win over the Cleveland Cavaliers that Curry had “hurt the game”. 
“And what I mean by that is, I go into these high school gyms, I watch these kids and the first thing they do is run to the three-point line. You are not Steph Curry. Work on your other aspects of the game. 
“People don’t think that he’s just a knock-down shooter. That’s not why he’s the MVP. He’s a complete basketball player.” 
Curry, who is leading the league in scoring, laughed off the controversy. 
Aussie teammate Andrew Bogut was irked and said of Jackson: “Anything he says, you can take that with a grain of salt.” 
Teammate Draymond Green said Curry was a great role model for aspiring players, because unlike such physical behemoth’s such as Cavs star LeBron James, he stands a modest 1.90 metre (6-foot-3) and weighs 84 kilograms (185 pounds). 
“It’s good for kids to think they can be Steph because it gives them realistic hope,” Green said. 

Star shock 
Kobe Bryant was stunned to learn he’s 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 Los Angeles Lakers team. 
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’d support the showcase no matter what. 
When early returns were announced on Friday, Bryant led the likes of reigning Most Valuable Player 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.” 

Holiday hit 
The NBA finals rematch between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers drew nearly 11 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBA Christmas Day broadcast since 2011. 
The Warriors’ 89-83 win over the Cavaliers on ABC reprised their championship series, in which the Warriors triumphed in the most-watched NBA finals ever broadcast on the ABC network. 
“Fast Nationals” ratings released by Nielsen said the game drew 10.9 million viewers. The average audience for the Oklahoma City Thunder-Chicago Bulls game on ABC averaged almost six million viewers. 

Hornacek in hot water 
Phoenix head coach Jeff Hornacek appears to have been given a reprieve as the struggling Suns have fallen well short of expectations this season. 
The Suns are in the midst of a 5-15 stretch, including a 111-104 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on the weekend. 
On Monday, the Suns shook up their coaching staff but Hornacek survived the cuts. 
Phoenix promoted longtime NBA guard Earl Watson and former NBA D-League head coach Nate Bjorkgren to the bench to work closer to Hornacek and dismissed veteran assistants Mike Longabardi, who was in charge of Phoenix’s defense, and Jerry Sichting. 
Phoenix began the season with playoff aspirations after posting records of 48-34 and 39-43 in Hornacek’s first two seasons. 
The Suns were also expected to contend after adding Tyson Chandler in the offseason and Brandon Knight in a February trade.