The 2016 NBA All-Star Game was all about Kobe Bryant.
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The East was led by Paul George, who had 41 points on 9-for-19 three-point shooting.
And there was validation from LeBron James. But come on, nobody is really here to play defense, at least that early. Playing in his 18th and final All-Star game, Bryant has made 4 of 8 shots.
-The Toronto Raptors won 14 of 16 games leading into the All-Star Game break and are second in the Eastern Conference, three games behind the Cavaliers.
Watching the week, one had to marvel at the National Basketball Association which invaded the city like a horde of Visigoths.
Following last season’s ASG, Westbrook went on a tear, stringing together numerous triple-double games and nearly singlehandedly carrying Oklahoma City into the postseason (falling just one game short with teammate Kevin Durant out for the season due to a foot injury).
If you’re Miami Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade, finding the appropriate send-off gift for Kobe was pretty easy.
Bryant received tributes here and there throughout the weekend festivities. Westbrook is the first repeat MVP in an All-Star game since Bob Pettit in 1958-59.
And yes, there was a mention of his 81-point game against Toronto, probably to the dismay of the home crowd. He has 291. Bryant, who is retiring after this season, leaves with 290.
Then Bryant took the court and spoke to the fans. “I’m happy and blessed to be in the game again and for the opportunity”.
Wait, what? I’m sure that’s the reaction of many to seeing this.
Saturday night’s skills competition was a doozy with Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon raising the bar on big air and originality. But tonight, I think the more you come here, the easier it is to kind of just enjoy it.
“I’m 29 years old and I think I’m in a position to still be able to speak to the youth in our city, let them know to be proud of what we have, to avoid bringing harm to one another, to avoid just being out here without a goal, maybe”, said Drake.
A long time, he was once on the other side of this.
And why not? His place in history may have already been cemented, but the tributes continued – Magic Johnson speaking, a video presentation with the All-Stars voicing their words of thanks and farewell.
Robertson is a past president of the players’ association. Four players hit six or more 3s, and each of them shot higher than 40 percent doing so. This one is for all the coaches out there. LaVine captured his second straight dunk title – and a second trophy in two nights in Toronto. The name “FLIP” was written across the back and LaVine’s No. 8 was rotated horizontally to mimic an infinity sign. I usually catch a couple of quarters here and there during the regular season and tune in a bit more frequently during the playoffs. “We all loved Flip and his memory will love on forever!” Like James and many of his contemporaries, Curry’s goal is to follow in the footsteps of what Michael Jordan did at Nike, turning himself into the iconic pitchman and building an empire that has helped him become the owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
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“And with this awesome honor, I just want to say that…”
