National Basketball Association wraps up all-star weekend

The East’s Paul George of the Indiana Pacers set an All-Star Game record with nine 3-point baskets and came within one point of tying the All-Star Game scoring record of 42 points set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

“It’s like the passing of a generation”, said San Antonio Spurs and West coach Gregg Popovich. Because over the years you’re competing against each other.

As far as basketball goes, the NBA All-Star Game has devolved into more show than substance, and the West’s 196-173 victory over the East did little to dispute that.

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors took down teammate Stephen Curry in the three-point contest with a 27-23 win in the final round.

Bryant was humbled during the game as LeBron James finally outscored him by a point for the title of highest-scoring NBA All-Star of all-time. He said this weekend that the end of Bryant’s illustrious, surefire hall-of-fame career has him thinking about his own ending. He checked out for the last time with 1 minute 6 seconds left, pausing to hug his teammates and wave to the fans before tapping his heart, saluting the crowd and clapping his hands high above his head. At the half, Bryant entered the locker room with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in 15 minutes of play. The game set a number of records for the most points for a single team and total combined score in an All Star Game. But there are players that are just as talented. But with the Eastern players unable to match the West’s shooting and quality, the fourth quarter turned into a one sided affair, leading to the West’s biggest win since 2009, and their fifth in the last six years. Canadian Nelly Furtado sang her country’s national anthem.

Then it was time for two video tributes for Bryant, whose 18 All-Star selections are second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Nobody who saw that game would recognize the way it looked Sunday.

But while those players did their best to steal the spotlight, the night still belonged to Kobe.

“He’s the most competitive a lot of us have played against”.

Bryant’s gone, and these young guys are good. Bryant’s shot was an air ball.

But he was the star without playing a starring a role.

“I just want to thank you guys for all your support all these years”, Bryant told the “Ko-be!” chanting crowd.

In the second quarter, Bryant continued to hit fadeaway jump shots and even hit a three-pointer. But come on, nobody is really here to play defense, at least that early. His performance in the 2008 final displayed his skills – 20 points and six assists to ensure the gold.

“Definitely, being able to talk to him and get knowledge and just hear him talking about different things he’s done for himself, for the game, his family”, Westbrook said.

ALL-STAR MVP. Oklahoma City Thunder player Russell Westbrook (L) is named back-to-back 2016 NBA All-Star MVP. Petit won the award in 1958 and shared it with Elgin Baylor in 1959.