What was made abundantly clear during the tragically casual main event, though, is that Bryant is leaving the league in extremely capable hands – even if a natural-born competitor like him might be silently glad to leave the All-Star Game, specifically, behind.
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Kobe Bryant said his NBA All-Star Game goodbye, and the next generation of the West’s best sent him off a victor, rolling to a record-setting 196-173 victory over the East on Sunday night.
Bryant and James are tied for the most field goals made in All-Star games with 119.
Bryant captivated the crowd a couple of times: Once, when he went one-on-one with LeBron James (and missed), and a pair of other times, where he shot jumpers that appeared to be rimming out before somehow finding their way in the basket; much to the amusement of fans in attendance, who gave Bryant an enormous ovation with just over a minute left, and subbed out of the contest.
Bryant was honored with two videoboard tributes for the game even started. And when it was all over, Bryant walked to the front row of the stands and paid his own respects to those who came before him – greeting Hall of Famers Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. “Kobe!” chants, as he came out as the last player introduced.
But he was the star without playing a starring a role. Raptors guard Kyle Lowry scored 14 points and dished out 10 assists, and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond had 16 points and 13 rebounds. “Kobe!” before he walked off an All-Star court for the final time.
The place went berserk as some Bryant accomplishments were read off. Bryant received proper adoration from the crowd. Asked if he had aspirations of an MVP award on this stage, he laughed.
“It was fun”, he said. I’m just going to take a little bit of time off.’ No, but it’s been incredible, man. To have three knee surgeries and he hasn’t really lost.
“We try to do our best to just enjoy the moment and not bring any other drama or competition outside of just the accomplishment and excitement of being an All-Star and what that means”, he said. His career began with a power play from his agent, forcing the Nets to blink in a franchise-shifting decision, and he landed with the Lakers.
Another record for one of the greatest players ever.
Toronto already had some significance to the 37-year-old. Fair enough. History will judge Bryant as an all-time great and reveal his failings. I had a great time. He led the United States basketball team to gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
“It took every day and really every moment of rehab to get through it. There were a lot of days where I felt I like I was down and out, but I just stayed with it”. “He’s the one that always believed in me and drafted me!” The 18 All-Star appearances by Los Angeles Lakers F Kobe Bryant are one behind the record of C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar…. He says people will talk about that matchup for a long time.
“He goes out the way he wants to go out”, Jordan told TNT’s Craig Sager.
“There was no defense played”, he said. Carmelo Anthony was in seventh grade when the game was played.
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James crouched in his defensive stance and pounded the floor when he found himself covering Bryant out on the wing in the second quarter. For Bryant, it was all about reflecting on his career and enjoying the moment.
