Bryant takes over to lead West to All-Star victory
LOS ANGELES - Before last night's 60th NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant was given a microphone and told fans to "enjoy the show."
LOS ANGELES - Before last night's 60th NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant was given a microphone and told fans to "enjoy the show."
That's certainly what these games have become, more show than actual competition, though someone forgot to tell Bryant and LeBron James.
Shortly after his remarks, Bryant went out in front of the home crowd and played with the same intensity that has helped make him a five-time champion. He started off with a tough fadeaway over Dwyane Wade, converted an incredible reverse dunk, connected on a three-pointer and made two steals before the first quarter was 5 minutes old.
Bryant was named the game's MVP, his fourth such All-Star award, after posting 37 points and 14 rebounds in leading the West to a 148-143 win. James finished with a triple-double: 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Sometimes letting go of the competitive juices isn't that easy. And Bryant showed his were flowing from the opening tip. He finished the first half with 21 points, six rebounds and three steals as the West launched to a 76-64 lead.
"We wanted to come out and play hard and put on a show," said Bryant, who tied Bob Petit's record for All-Star MVPs (spanning 1956-62). "It feels great playing in front of the home crowd."
Boston coach Doc Rivers, who was guiding the East, kept his promise of a dominant Celtics lineup. He subbed teammates Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett early, pitting them with Orlando's Dwight Howard.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich also kept teammates together, like Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, along with Kevin Love, who played at UCLA and is best friends with Westbrook. Miami teammates Wade and James were often paired, as were Bryant and Pau Gasol.
But whomever Rivers called upon, the West was always a step or two ahead, especially Bryant. He scored nine quick points in the third, highlighted by a two-handed dunk that was contested by James. He went after every rebound and loose ball as if there was a real meaning to the game.
"It got competitive in the second half and we wanted to win," said the East's Amar'e Stoudemire, who matched James with 29 points. "Kobe started and you could tell he wanted to win MVP. He didn't pass at all. But that's Kobe."
Perhaps Bryant needed some sort of outlet, a way to disperse his frustration. His Lakers lost their final three games before the break, the last a 104-99 defeat to lowly Cleveland.
The recent troubles have prompted fans to write letters to the Los Angeles Times asking for the team to be blown up, for coach Phil Jackson to be fired. Pretty tough crowd considering the Lakers are 38-19 and are the third seed in the West. Oh yeah, and they did win the title last June.
Bryant was making his 12th All-Star appearance. It still seems hard to believe that he is now in his 15th season in the league after leaving Lower Merion High. Durant backed Bryant with 34 points and Gasol added 17.
"This is my last [All-Star] game in front of the home crowd, so it feels good," Bryant said. "The young players energized me. You want to play hard. You're voted in, so you have a sense of responsibility to play hard."
Star gazing
Los Angeles hosted an All-Star Game for a record fifth time . . . Boston's Kevin Garnett made his 14th consecutive All-Star team, tying the record shared by Jerry West, Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal . . . Jack Nicholson was in attendance, but moved from his normal seat on the court. Instead, he was two rows back . . . Before the game, the PA announcer called the MVP of Friday's celebrity game "Justin Berber." He, of course, meant Justin Bieber . . . Dolph Schayes, who scored the first two points in an NBA All-Star Game back in 1951, was at the game . . . Not many halftime adjustments going on as most of the players were on the court to watch Rihanna perform. Lenny Kravitz performed before the game and during player introductions.
Six shots
With the trade deadline fast approaching, there seems to be nothing going on with the 76ers. As per discussions this weekend, many teams are too apprehensive to make a move with the threat of a work stoppage looming this summer.
The Sixers (27-29), winners of 10 of their last 14 games, will reconvene tonight and get back into game action Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center against Washington.