This amazing weekend was topped off with the NBA All-Star game Sunday night.
As no surprise Kobe Bryant had his eyes on his record 5th All-Star game MVP. Scoring 11 points in the first five minutes connecting on three straight shots. However Kevin Durant’s 36 points including some thunderous dunks walked away with the MVP.
“It was fun,” Durant said. “That’s the type of All-Star Game you want to see, great for the fans.”
Bryant’s 27 points moved him past Michael Jordan as the games all time leading scorer in a 152-149 win over the Eastern Conference.
“That record he got tonight, with KD in the league, I don’t know how long it’s going to last,” Wade said.
Bryant’s dunk with 4:57 left in the third quarter gave him the record (264 points). He stands alone now with 271 points.
The West took a commanding 21 point lead in the second half and seemed to have the game wrapped up but when LeBron James is playing, the game is never over.
James hit two deep three’s in the fourth to help the East pull within one but a turnover by Wade on a fast break kept them from taking a one point lead.
Bryant’s missed free throw with 18 seconds left and the West up 151-149 kept the door open for the East to win.
However on the East’s following possession Deron Williams missed a three to take the lead.
Following the miss Williams was able to gather his own rebound and get it to James. LeBron dished the ball to Wade in the corner but the pass was intercepted by Griffin.
“When I tried to throw it late, that’s what usually happens and it results in a turnover,” James said.
Quite a few people including Bryant questioned why James didn’t take the last shot.
After Griffin went 1 for 2 from the line Wade’s fade-away three attempt at the buzzer was way off.
Griffin finished the game with 22 points, some thunderous dunks but it was his defense that won it for the West.
Williams scored 20 points for the East. Carmelo Anthony had 19, and Rose chipped in with 14.
Dwayne Wade finished with a triple double, 24 points 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook finished with 21points followed by Kevin Loves 17 for the West.
Things got chippy when Wade fouled Kobe going to the basket drawing blood in the third quarter.
Dwight Howard the host player for the game only finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds but electrified the crowd with his entrance during the starting line-up.
Its hard to believe but its been 20 years since Magic Johnson’s MVP performance here in Orlando. Three months after announcing retirement due to HIV the fans voted Johnson in and he shinned like always.
It’s also been 20 years since the Dream Team, the 1992 Olympic team that’s considered the greatest team ever assembled. Joining Magic on stage to pay tribute were teammates Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler, Scottie Pippen and David Robinson.
The great city of Orlando and the NBA put on an unbelievable show. I’m hoping it doesn’t take another 20 years before it’s back in the 407.
