But the real tributes came after the game – a 196-173 victory by West over the East – with the All-Stars commenting on how much they appreciated being on the floor with Bryant for his final All-Star appearance and how much he meant to them as players over the years.
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At half-time, British singer Sting took to the stage to entertain the fans while American football players Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. together with baseball player Justin Verlander, actress Kate Upton, director Spike Lee and musician Drake were at the Air Canada Centre watching the game court side. Calling it a “blessing” to be a starter for the first time, Westbrook drove and dunked on the night’s first possession.
“Just hearing him talk about different things he’s done for himself, the game, his family”, Westbrook said.
First Bucket Bryant got on the scoreboard in the first quarter by getting this turnaround jumper to spin in against Toronto’s Kyle Lowry. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had at an All-Star Game just because of the predominant group of the young, talented kids coming up….”
Paul George of the Indiana Pacers finished with 41 points, including an all-star game record nine three-pointers, one point off the all-star game record held by Wilt Chamberlain.
“It feels so good to be able to speak to them about the game”, Bryant said of his fellow All-Stars before the game as they stood in unison behind him at half court, “and share some of the knowledge that I’ve learned throughout my career to them so that they can carry on the tradition of the National Basketball Association”. Both squads gave him a standing ovation.
While LeBron may have “just” played 20 minutes last night and “only” scored 13 points, he succeeded in giving Kobe one last statistical jab as the curtain closed. Bryant, who is retiring after the season, was honored prior to the game.
“I had a blast playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench”, Bryant said. “I had a great, great time”. “I like to have fun, but at the same time I want to also be better, become a better player”.
On Sunday in Toronto, the National Basketball Association honored Kobe Bryant in his final All-Star Game with an impressive introduction. It is still unusual though because of the history between myself and the Raptors.
Guard John Wall had 22 points for the East. Guard DeMar DeRozan added 18 for the East. “Hopefully I can have some more weekends like this”. “Toronto, I think we put ourselves on the map a little bit around the world”.
Kobe Bryant at his farewell All Stars game.
Defence? Non-existent, and game officials must have been sweating the scoring over the final minutes, as the ACC scoreboard doesn’t go beyond “199”.
The previous high for points in a game was 163, which had been done twice previously. Neither Naismith nor anyone who saw that game would recognize the way it looked Sunday.
That came after the pregame festivities were a celebration first of Canada, then of Bryant.
“To see him now, it’s like the passing of a generation”, West Coach Gregg Popovich said. Canadian Nelly Furtado sang her country’s national anthem.
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The night capped a glitzy three days of festivities in Toronto.
