Kobe gets a set of Jordans as a retirement gift

With NBA All-Star Weekend in progress, Kobe Bryant will make his 18th and final appearance for the Western Conference on Sunday.

Bosh says he’s “pretty optimistic” that the issue is not something more serious.

A relaxed Bryant appeared eager to soak up every moment of his All-Star swan song, smiling and answering as many questions in Spanish and Italian as English.

“I think unfortunately because of pressure or anxiety or responsibilities, things, whatever, you kind of give up on those dreams and somewhere along the line you lose that imagination”. The East lost the game 152-149 as Bryant scored 27 points and became the leading scorer in All-Star game history.

“Obviously with Kobe’s generation, they paved the way for us”, James said. “It’s not going to be any different tomorrow (Sunday)”.

Bosh chose to skip the weekend festivities so he could nurse a calf strain that has caused him discomfort the past week.

Still he says missing his 11th all-star game in the city where he once played was a “bummer”. “I expected him to come out and get me, which he did”.

Yet it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bryant is able to steal the spotlight during the game.

He has conferred regularly with Heat medical officials about the issue, which he has been dealing with and getting treatment for over the past several days.

“I’ll be good with 10”, he said. “When we get back to Miami, we’ll do everything we’ve got to do to make sure it’s right”.

Bosh leads Miami by scoring 19.1 points per game.

Bosh learned he was unavailable to play Friday afternoon.

Missing out on playing in Toronto – where he spent the first seven seasons his career – is disappointing.

Throughout their respective careers, Kobe Bryant and Spurs’ coach, Gregg Popovich, have served as each other’s nightmares on a season to season basis.

“Stay out of their way”. So if you know, let the world know and let them know. “It was just fun to be out here with these guys”.

And most of the attention will be focused on Bryant’s All-Star farewell.

“This is what it’s all about”, said Popovich. It’s nothing new, but you’d think for an all-star event he’d finally be cut some slack. “To be part of that now is thrilling for me”. He’s averaging just 16.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 34.9 percent from the floor this season. He made his decision, he moved on, and now we have a new era of Toronto Raptors.

“I just saw him, his suit spoke to me”. “He’s been an iconic figure in the National Basketball Association”. “We know he’s going to be super competitive”.