TORONTO: Kobe Bryant’s All-Star farewell may not have been poignant, at least for those looking for some huge outpouring of emotion.
But the player who influenced every other man on the court showed he still had a few fadeaways left before he fades away.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard, retiring at age 37 at the end of this, his 20th season, was the focus of the 65th All-Star Game Sunday night at Air Canada Centre, the first time the event was held outside the United States.
Fellow All-Stars talked for days about how much Bryant meant to them.
“People don’t realize how much we’re going to miss Kobe, how much the game is going to miss Kobe,” Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul said Friday. “He’s been entertaining us for 20 years.”
Bryant didn’t have a huge impact, at least statistically. He finished with 10 points, all in the first half, as his West All-Stars pulled out a 196-173 victory. With 1:06 remaining, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, directing the West, put Bryant back in the game so the fans could acknowledge him one more time. They responded with cheers of “Kobe.”
But those who attended the weekend’s festivities still left talking about Bryant, along with the most exciting Slam Dunk Contest in All-Star history. On Saturday, defending champion Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves outpointed the Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon in a stunning duel.
The Cavaliers’ lone representative LeBron James became the sixth player to start 12 All-Star Games, joining Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Bob Cousy. He finished with 13 points, tying his career-low in the game, four rebounds and seven assists while hitting 6-of-13 from the field. James played just 20 minutes, leaving with 5:36 left in the third quarter and sitting out the rest of the way.
Sunday’s pregame festivities were capped with a tribute to Bryant. Hall of famer Magic Johnson handled the send-off for the fellow Laker and Bryant spoke briefly. Seconds later, Bryant and James jumped center.
Bryant seemed to have a little magic left, at least when it came to the friendly rims.
With 4:46 left in the first quarter, a fadeaway rolled around three times before falling in, to Bryant’s delight. Midway through the second quarter, he got a good bounce on another shot.
Bryant had no such luck when James guarded him on a possession with 5½ minutes left in the second quarter as Bryant’s double-pump fadeaway fell short.
In 1998, Bryant was voted a starter for his first All-Star Game, at 19 years, five months old, becoming the youngest All-Star in history. He won the first of four game MVPs in 2002, following with that honor in 2007, ’09 and ’11, tying Bob Petit for the most ever.
Bryant’s game appearance total is one shy of Abdul-Jabbar’s record and his 280 points coming in were the most in All-Star history, two points ahead of James.
The game ended with James one point ahead of Bryant on the all-time list.
Bryant may have been the focus, but he wasn’t the star.
Russell Westbrook poured in 14 of his 31 points in the third quarter and Anthony Davis scored 12 of his 24 as the West held a 145-136 lead going into the fourth.
Paul George kept the East within striking distance with 16 points in the third period. Missing 76 games last season with a compound leg fracture, George led the East with 41 points. His nine 3-pointers broke the All-Star Game record set by Carmelo Anthony in 2014.
The West’s total surpassed the previous record of 163 and the total by the two teams broke the mark of 321.
Oklahoma City’s Westbrook was named MVP, winning for the second consecutive year. Westbrook is the first player to win All-Star MVP awards outright in back-to-back years. Bob Petit won the 1958 MVP award and shared the 1959 award with Elgin Baylor.
Among the celebrities attending were ex-Blue Jay Joe Carter, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and girlfriend Kate Upton, filmmaker Spike Lee, comedian Kevin Hart and NFL stars Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue headed the Eastern Conference team, but was booed during introductions by fans who wanted the honor to go to the Raptors’ Dwane Casey after David Blatt was fired in Cleveland.
Coaching the Cavs for just 11 games, Lue enjoyed the moment, even letting let Raptors guard Kyle Lowry draw up a play during a timeout with 5:55 left in the second quarter.
The 3-point and dunk-fest showed no semblance of defense. According to ESPN Stats & Info, before halftime the game had surpassed the lowest-scoring All-Star Game in 1953, won by the West 79-75. At intermission the West led 92-90.
But there was no overshadowing Bryant’s goodbye.
“I just want to wish him farewell,” the Pacers’ George said Saturday. “He’s meant so much to this game. He’s meant so much to me. It’s an honor to be at this final game. This should be a moment we all remember.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.