Bryant leaves an All-Star Game winner, West rolls 196-173

He faced off with James early on, the Cleveland Cavaliers star slapping the floor and smiling from his defensive stance before Bryant missed a jumper.

So on a night that was supposed to be about a farewell, it was a comeback that proved to be historic.

Drake, dressed in a garish multi-coloured “Farewell Mamba” leather jacket in a tribute to Bryant, took the stage for the player introductions, with Bryant, Lowry and DeRozan receiving the loudest cheers.

With one National Basketball Association icon feting him from the middle of the Air Canada Centre court in a pre-game speech, with two of the absolute giants of the game watching closely from courtside seats metres away, with fans standing and chanting his name, the Great Kobe Bryant Lovefest wrapped up Sunday night.

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.

Los Angeles remains at a dismal point in it’s time with the Lakers, as the team continues to grudgingly push through another historically bad season.

The building reached its peak moments of electricity when Bryant was being acknowledged, rather than during the game action.

Cousins made all five of his shots, including a 3-pointer, in his 11:36 of playing time in the game. He also seemed to enjoy the experience, the adulation and everything that came with it.

The global icon’s last NBA All-Star Game was a celebration of his illustrious career.

Reigning NBA MVP scored 26 points, Anthony Davis had 24 while Kevin Durant and James Harden each had 23 markers.

Westbrook became the first player to win back-to-back MVPs since Bob Petit in 1958.

It was a great night for Toronto, for Kobe Bryant, for Russell Westbrook, for the NBA, for pretty well everyone involved in the NBA All-Star Game.

“I’m just happy to see him get this type of love and recognition for all he has given to the game”, Gasol said. Then Lakers legend Magic Johnson led the pregame ceremony, highlighted by two video tributes, to honor Bryant. It’s not sad at all. Sunday’s All-Star Game, despite its prolific scoring, will be quickly forgotten. Kawhi Leonard and Paul Millsap have less. And the game has given him so much over these 20 years. He has 291, while Bryant, who is retiring after this season, leaves with 290. Yet he was the leading vote getter by a substantial margin.

Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors hold up their respective All-Star jerseys before their game against the Houston Rockets at ORACLE Arena on February 9, 2016 in Oakland, California.

The only boos went to the judges, with the crowd thinking Shaquille O’Neal was a little stingy with a couple of 9s instead of ideal 10s. It was the first time the game was hosted in Toronto, and both the Western and Eastern Conference All-Stars ensured that the fans saw an unforgettable show.

The stardom outlasted Bryant’s body. Fans were treated to a record-setting scoring affair between both conferences which capped off a great weekend farewell for 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant. Then obviously the curtain call at the end that you knew was coming, but you didn’t know what part of the game and the feel that the crowd was going to give, and it was unbelievable. It humbles you, brings you down to Earth.