Bryant’s last NBA All-Star as West beats East

The night – and the first two nights of this first All-Star weekend held outside the USA – has ended with a celebration for LaVine, who won the MVP award in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge for rookies and second-year players.

But after the All-Star Game Sunday night, Curry’s starpower was dwarfed by Kobe Bryant.

“It’s like the passing of a generation”, said San Antonio Spurs and West coach Gregg Popovich. To hear those stories now, you have such a deep sense of appreciation and such a brotherhood from all the years of competing against each other. He led the West with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Paul George finished with 41 for the East, tying Westbrook’s total from previous year in NY that was one off Wilt Chamberlain’s record.

The Washington Wizards’ John Wall added 22 points for the East, but that squad’s biggest superstar, the Cavaliers’ James, had a quiet night with just 13 points.

“I’m just happy to see him get this type of love and recognition for all he has given to the game”, Gasol said.

Bryant played 25:49, exiting for good with 1:06 left after collecting 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

“There was no defense played”, he said.

There was speculation that Bryant would be named MVP for sentimental reasons and East team leader Paul George made a case for himself with 41 points but Westbrook nailed a bunch of key three-pointers in the second half to lead the West to victory. So that’s what we want to try to do.

The 65th NBA All-Star Game was a series of uncontested slam dunks, 3-pointers, and careless alley-oops. Canadian Nelly Furtado sang her country’s national anthem.

A video tribute followed, with moments of Bryant from his draft night to his Lakers titles.

“I was just sitting there and kind of talking and enjoying, and my name got called”. “It’s all well-deserved”.

After 20 years and five NBA Championships, Bryant will bow out as one of the greatest to play the game. “He’s one of the most athletic guys that our league has seen and obviously in today’s game as well”.

Stephen Curry delivered one of the signature moments of the All-Star Game when he drained a shot from near half court in the closing seconds of the game. “Kobe!” chants, as he came out as the last player introduced. But players like Westbrook, Durant and Curry are more than ready to shoulder the load.

But he was the star without playing a starring a role. They’re just a fun-loving group and they enjoy each other as much as they enjoy the game.

Bryant scored 10 points in 26 minutes, the least of all the West starters.

Early in the game it was vintage Bryant…as in 2016. He made his All-Star debut in NY in 1998, a game also remembered for Michael Jordan’s last with the Chicago Bulls.

NOTES: Atlanta Hawks C Al Horford appeared in his fourth All-Star Game after being invited to replace injured Miami Heat F Chris Bosh, who has a calf injury.

Mic’d Up From pregame chats with James and Vin Diesel to in-game kisses from his daughter, some of Bryant’s more personal moments were captured by TNT.