Westbrook named All-Star MVP for 2nd year in row

Westbrook, who was chosen the most valuable player (MVP) in last year’s event, repeated that achievement this year to become the MVP for the second year in a row with 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. For reasons not totally clear, both Westbrook, who was named the All-Star MVP for the second straight year, and Bryant, playing in his final All-Star Game, stiffed the Canadian music star.

The East led 43-40 after the first quarter, but the first half ended with the West up 92-90 and they were up by nine heading into the final frame. With about a minute left in the game, the 18-time NBA All-Star selection came out to a thunderous, well-deserved standing ovation with chants of “Ko-Be, Ko-Be”.

All weekend, players spoke of being honored to share a court with Bryant in what, when all is said and done, is a meaningless exhibition.

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George leads all scorers with 16 points.

Chris Young/AP Paul George scores a game-high 41 points, falling one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star record.

Kobe Bryant exited the NBA All-Star Game for the final time to watch Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry wrap things up with 3-pointers.

In 20 seasons with the Lakers, whom acquired him on a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant has scored 33,243 points, pulled down 6,991 rebounds, handed out 6,274 assists and converted 44.8 percent of his 25,838 shots from the field.

Prior to the game’s opening tip, National Basketball Association great Magic Johnson lauded the 37-year-old Kobe Bryant in a pair of tribute videos featuring some career highlights interspersed with messages of thanks from a handful of fellow National Basketball Association players.

“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.

The explosive offensive showcase came a day after the annual slam-dunk competition ignited the all-star festivities.

And even though the team has done what it can to focus on their younger talent, the farewell tour has served as a strong reminder that it’s often harder to depart at the ideal time rather than leave something you love prematurely. “People can say whatever, but he only averaged 45 that year just like he was doing everybody else”.

Earlier, in a brief pregame address to the crowd, Bryant couldn’t help but flash his competitiveness.

We’ve got a full run-down of every sneaker worn during last night’s ASG so if you missed out on any of the action, make sure you catch-up with our All-Star gallery.

“You remember all the struggles against him and all the competitiveness and you respect him so much for bringing it night after night after night”, Popovich said.

Westbrook, asked about Kobe Bryant after the game, said he had been inspired by the Lakers legend. Neither Naismith nor anyone who saw that game would recognize the way it looked Sunday. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, participating in his first All-Star Game, finished with 9 points on 4-for-11 shooting in 19 minutes.

The rest of the East starters (Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and HEAT guard Dwyane Wade) all scored 14 points or less.