Michael Jordan may have been largely in the shadows most of the All-Star Weekend, but with next year's event headed to the Windy City, it is only fitting that the send-off is graced by none other than the GOAT and Chicago Bulls legend himself.

It also helps that the current festivities are being held in Charlotte where the 6-foot-6 guard spent his high school and college years as a Laney HS Buccaneer and North Carolina Tar Heel respectively – and now as the chief architect (and majority shareholder) of this year's gracious hosts the Charlotte Hornets franchise (a reputation largely met by lukewarm response as a result of questionable moves with marginal returns).

Most importantly, Jordan is also celebrating his 56th birthday and the basketball world took turns wishing “His Airness” a great one.

High praise comes from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame given that they are the authority when it comes to recognizing everyone who embodies excellence in basketball.

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Eastern Conference forward Chris Bosh (1) of the Miami Heat catches a pass against Western Conference center Dwight Howard (12) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game at the Toyota Center.
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Then there's this creative acknowledgment from reporter Darren Rovell who dug in the archives for the six-time NBA Champion's Brooklyn birth certificate.

Other than the turnover ceremonies and possibly getting smashed for the rest of the night, Jordan will have his hands full in the offseason as he continues to retool the roster (centered hopefully on guard Kemba Walker) in hopes of capitalizing on the wide-open but fast-improving competition in the East.

The Hornets currently sit at number seven in the conference with the Pistons, Heat, Magic, and Wizards close on their tails – and with the upper-seeded teams upgrading their line-ups via the ongoing arms race for assembling super teams, Jordan must keep up fast.