TORONTO — Kobe Bryant — playing in his final All-Star Game in his final NBA season — dominated the story line right up until tip-off of Sunday’s game.
Then, the game’s younger stars took over in the most defenseless of All-Star contests.
The West defeated the East 196-173, setting several scoring records, including most points for one team and combined points in a game.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and led five players from the West with at least 20 points. He was named All-Star MVP for the second consecutive year. Steph Curry had 26 points, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis had 24 and Houston’s James Harden and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant each scored 23.
"I think it's fun, man. I think it's great for the fans," Westbrook said. "I was real happy to be a starter. Blessed and thankful for all the fans and all the people that kind of voted for me, man. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my time, dance a little bit, smile — I know a lot of people don't see me smile, so I like to smile and enjoy my All-Star Weekend and have fun.
"Any time you're able to be in the history books is always going to mean something to me. I'm just thankful to be able to play the game of basketball and be in a game like this, man. It's something, like I said before, I never take for granted."
Indiana’s Paul George led the East with a game-high 41 points, one shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s single-game record set in 1962.
"It's really special. You know, I had a hard-fought summer, hard-fought rehab year," George said. "It was just a very upward climb. It took every day and really every moment of rehab to get through it. There were a lot of days where I felt like I was down and out, but just stayed with it.
"For me to be here just being back as an All-Star was special. But to be able to put on a show and have fun and enjoy this moment, get back to playing how I play pre-injury is special. I've just been blessed. I'm very thankful and very grateful."
Dunks and three-pointers ruled, and even by normal NBA All-Star Game standards regarding defense (read: little of it), this was a new level of offensive freedom.
The West set All-Star records for points in a game, half (92), and quarter (53), field goals made in a half (41), and both teams combined for the most All-Star points in a half (182) and game.
Just before the opening tip, the NBA honored Bryant — an 18-time All-Star, five-time champion, MVP, Finals MVP, future Hall of Famer — with a video tribute, and Lakers great and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson introduced Bryant.
The fans chanted "Ko-be, Kobe!" before Bryant said, "I just want to thank you guys for all of your support for all these years, and I’ve just been extremely fortunate to be able to play the game that I love and be in the NBA for more than half my life. It’s a thrill for me to be here in this All-Star Game."
Bryant scored 10 points in his final All-Star Game, and though he entered the game as the leading scorer in All-Star history, he is now second by one point to LeBron James, who has 291 points in 12 All-Star games.
Now, the NBA turns its attention to this week’s trade deadline, the final two months of the regular season, Golden State’s run at 73 victories and the final games of Bryant’s 20-year career.
The game capped off a frigid weekend in Toronto with an exciting game and an atmosphere that felt more like a regular season game than an exhibition.
"I think everybody got the feel of the energy that we witness every single night when we play as Raptors players," said East guard DeMar DeRozan. "I think all the guys really got insight on how in tune the city of Toronto and all of Canada is to basketball. So I think just the energy. I think all the guys really enjoyed it."
