One legend honoring another...

Watch Michael Jordan's Tearful Tribute: "When Kobe Died, A Piece Of Me Died"

Michael Jordan honored the late Kobe Bryant on Monday during Kobe's public memorial held at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He remembered his "little brother" in a tearful speech and gave some amazing insights into their unique relationship...

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa at the official after party for the 2004 World Music Awards, September 15, 2005.

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In a tearful, raw and heartfelt speech on Monday at the public memorial for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center, Michael Jordan paid tribute to the late basketball star in the most amazing way. Jordan called him his "little brother" and talked about their unique relationship over the years.

Michael Jordan in tears: "That's what Kobe Bryant does to me"

Jordan was already crying before starting his speech and actually had the crowd cracking up while talking when he broke into tears again:

"I'll have to look at another crying meme (of myself) for years," Jordan said, wiping away tears and laughing." With that, the basketball legend had all 20,000 people at Staples Center laughing as well. "That’s what Kobe Bryant does to me," Jordan added.

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During his career, Kobe was often compared to Jordan - and the late L.A. Lakers star also leaned on Jordan for advice from time to time.

"He used to call me, text me 11:30, 2:30, 3:00 in the morning," Jordan recalled. "Talking about post-up moves, footwork, and sometimes the triangle. At first it was an aggravation, but then it turned into a certain passion."

Jordan ended his speech, again in tears, with a promise: "When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died. [...] I promise you from this day forward I will live with the memories knowing that I had a little brother that I tried to help in every way I could. Please, rest in peace, little brother."