Westbrook scores 31 points in win to earn MVP award

While things may not be getting for the Lakers anytime soon, it surely is a bitter time for Kobe Bryant to start saying good bye to a game he loves more than any of us will probably ever understand. “At this point, it hasn’t sunk in yet”.

Aside from the video tribute, Bryant received a couple of standing ovations from the crowd and got the respect he deserved heading into his last fiasco of this sort.

Russell Westbrook made history by winning his second consecutive All-Star Game MVP with a typically well-rounded stat line of 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Paul George of the Indiana Pacers led all scrorers with 41 points, a mark that saw him just a point short of Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time All-Star game record. “This should be a moment we all remember”.

He checked out with 1:06 left to cheers and hugs from his fellow All-Stars who now put up points in bunches the way Bryant did for so long.

Earlier in the weekend, he promised a kid reporter he’d dunk three times in the game. But he savored every second.

Bryant would play seven minutes in the first quarter and go to the bench with three points, three assists and four rebounds, including a sweet fadeaway jump shot that took ages to drop in. And, you know, I got a chance to stop Pau (Gasol) in a post, redeem myself from what he did to me when Chicago came to town. “I know a lot of people don’t see me smile a lot during the season, so I like to smile a little bit during the All-Star Weekend and enjoy my time and have fun”. “I like to have fun, but at the same time I want to also be better, become a better player”.

“There was no defense played”, he said. Must have missed it.

Prior to that, reigning league MVP Stephen Curry and Golden State Warrior teammate Klay Thompson battled each other in the finals of the three-point shooting competition, with Thompson earning the victory over Curry. He single-handedly outscored the Mavericks, who could score only 61 points themselves. “It was great for everybody, the whole world to see to understand and appreciate what he means to the game”.

“It’s like the passing of a generation”, said San Antonio Spurs and West coach Gregg Popovich.

It appears that Drake’s job for the introductions, contrary to popular belief, was not to hype the starters, but simply to hug them, and that didn’t even work out very well. Magic Johnson giving a speech about Kobe and his legacy to some highlight moments during the game where had some nice plays. Guess who went last? Just to be out there on the court with those other guys, experience Kobe Bryant’s [final All-Star] Game.

Through the Years Before suiting up in Toronto, the Lakers took a look back on some of his greatest moments on the All-Star stage.

The opening tip was delayed until 8:40 p.m. EST, following an extensive tribute to Bryant’s final All-Star Game appearance. Players, including George, the Clippers’ Chris Paul and James (“I salute you, brother”) offered personal praise and thanks.

The pregame was a celebration first of Canada, then of Bryant.