It’s Kobe’s world, at least for 1 more All-Star weekend

Warriors All-Star Klay Thompson was asked for a memory, a moment, an image, that represented Kobe Bryant, the third-highest scorer in National Basketball Association history, who was approaching his 15th and last All-Star Game appearance.

Usually the Lakers’ star creates this atmosphere after he scores a basket.

Bryant was warmly receptive to the gifts, in the latest thawing of his once-icy relationship with the media.

Reporter: Have you spoken to him since he was sacked?

To get to his final All-Star Game in his final season in the NBA, Kobe received more fan votes than Stephen Curry or LeBron James or any other player. – LeBron: Kobe “paved way” – Bryant has scored a record 280 points in All-Star games. “How many guys can say they’ve played 20 years and seen three, four generations come up through the league?”

“I can’t believe I’m still playing”, Bryant said.

But even limited minutes will not diminish Bryant’s presence. “I mean, I’m really happy and honored to be here and see this”.

Kevin Durant is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but the Oklahoma City Thunder small forward is not thinking about that for now.

“I’m retiring as a celebrity next year”, he said. “The competitiveness in terms of me trying to establish something and prove something, that’s gone”. His numbers are down as expected, but over the last five games in particular Bryant has regained a bit of his old form, putting up averages of 26.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 2.8 APG. “Because those are tangible things that I felt I could’ve adjusted or changed from a leadership perspective, from an executional perspective”.

But it is likely that all eyes will be on Los Angeles Lakers legend Bryant.

Numerous actors, musicians and television personalities in the lineup were showing their competitive side despite the dialled-down intensity.

Still, Bryant expressed gratitude for recovering from season-ending injuries to his left Achilles tendon, left knee and right shoulder.

Kobe was asked about biggest challenge of final season.

“I’ll probably wake up and have some coffee”, he said, “and go back to sleep”. “I can guarantee you he’s going to go for the MVP”. But then when a reporter kept pressing him about whether or not he had spoken to David Blatt, he did have a single Pop moment. Bryant offered greetings to reporters stationed from Taiwan, China, India and the Philippines.

He was asked to name three Canadian things without mentioning famed rapper Drake.

Bryant also answered a string of questions about Greece and a past vacation there. Bryant pleaded patience with the Lakers’ rebuilding process.

If it happens, though, he certainly wouldn’t complain. “So now you have to adjust”. I think they’ll be a great host and I think guys are going to have a lot of fun.

Soon enough, an National Basketball Association official ended the press conference.

When he spoke in English, Bryant talked about what an incredible career he has had.

To tip off it’s All-Star Game festivities, the NBA paid a techy homage to Naismith, who went on to found the University of Kansas basketball team after developing the game in Springfield, Massachusetts, using peach baskets for hoops.

Does Bryant feel a tinge of regret knowing he would be playing his last game before his retirement?