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No Laker Doubted Kobe Bryant Could Score 81 — Devean George
Posted On Jan 24 2016
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Kobe Bryant topped the voting poll receiving 300,000 more than second-placed Stephen Curry.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers earned his record-setting 18th consecutive selection to the NBA All-Star Game, when the league announced that Bryant had finished as the top vote-getter on Thursday.
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant finishes with league-leading votes for 2016 NBA All-Star game: So much uncertainty looms over Kobe Bryant’s fluctuating health and performances. In his 20th season, Bryant was named an All-Star for the 18th time in his illustrious career. Bryant will start along side Steph Curry, Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard for the West.
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, Indiana Pacers’ Paul George and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks make up the front court, with the back court starting spots going to Miami Heat veteran Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry.
The 65th NBA All-Star Game will tip off on Sunday, February 14 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the first All-Star Game to be held outside of the US The game will be seen by fans in more than 200 countries and territories and will be heard in more than 40 languages.
Leonard will start in his first All-Star game and Lowry will start on his home court in Toronto after both made up ground in the final days of voting on Thursday. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
“It is an honor to be voted as a starter for the All-Star Game, especially for one in my home arena”, Lowry said in a statement. As for Bryant, the overwhelming response by fans in his final All-Star Game is meaningful to him.
Kobe Bryant hopes his 81-point game inspires next generation: The game has played out several times in Kobe Bryant’s mind. Bryant and Gasol quickly form one of the best one-two punches in the NBA eventually leading to three straight NBA Finals appearances and two more NBA titles. The last player to start an All-Star Game after shooting below 35 percent in the regular season before the game was the St. Louis Hawks’ Slater Martin, who shot 32.6 percent from the field in 1958-59.
