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Russell Westbrook broke the scoreboard.
After leading the Western Conference over the East 196-173 (a match that resembled a 2K16 video-played on an NBA fan's Xbox console) the Air Canada Centre digital display stopped registering buckets after 191. The OKC pg became the first player to win back-to-back MVP's since Bob Pettit in 1958-1959.
#RussellWestbrook is your 2016 All-Star game MVP! #NBAAllStarTO https://t.co/4BFQ90Zb1u
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 15, 2016
The West nearly scored two bills, shattering a plethora of All-Star records.
Records on records.#NBAAllStarTO pic.twitter.com/denOEsvZ5S
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 15, 2016
As the game wore on, defense was completely abandoned for offensive fast-breaks, dunks, and 3-pointers (as previously seen during Friday's USA vs. The World exhibition.) Some defensive strategy was attempted near the close of regulation; the West successfully stopped Paul George (41 points) one point shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's All-Star point record.
Paul George (41 Pts) finishes one shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's record (42) at the 1962 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/x9PFnFhQCY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 15, 2016
Pop put Dray on Paul George to keep him from breaking the ASG record for points in a game.
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) February 15, 2016
Even though Westbrook earned the MVP hardware, the night belonged to Kobe Bryant's last All-Star appearance; The Black Mamba's All-Star voting tally is the highest of all-time. 12-time NBA All-Star and Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson offered a touching tribute to Kobe Bean before the game. A montage video was then played of Bryant celebrating his victories and accomplishments, narrated by the current generation of ballers offering kind words of his inspiration to the game of basketball. Kobe took the mic, offered a couple words to the crowd, and claimed most of the current players on the court were his kids age when he started.
Prior to the match, he said he was fine with only suiting up for ten minutes. Western Conference All-Star coach ended up playing him the most time of any starters (25:49), a fitting tribute to one of the greats; he finished with 10 points, seven assists, and six boards.
Legacy. We asked players what @KobeBryant has meant to the game.https://t.co/xyRj30YIWk
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 14, 2016
#KobeBryant highlights from his final All-Star game. #NBAAllStarTOhttps://t.co/aKlgjwFiCK
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 15, 2016
#KobeBryant finishes his All-Star career:
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 15, 2016
- 1st in starts (15)
- 1st steals (38)
- 2nd points (280)
- 2nd 3's (22) pic.twitter.com/UsdW9ZFy0t
Full All-Star Stats #NBAAllStarTO pic.twitter.com/Z0yOQwOVYO
— Sports Culture. (@sportsculturefb) February 15, 2016