Photo Credit: Bob Donnan/ USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 NBA All-Star Game was all about the West Coast. From Kobe Bryant’s last All-Star game to Russell Westbrook being named MVP for the second year in a row to Steph Curry being Steph Curry, the game was one to remember. With the final score being 196-173, this was definitely an offensive showcase.
The biggest star of the nigh was of course Kobe Bryant. Bryant was playing in his 18th and final All-Star Game and everyone made sure to show their appreciation. Bryant’s career were honored during the game with a tribute video and a speech given by another Lakers great Magic Johnson. Drake wore a custom designed jacket with the words ‘Farewell Mamba’ on the back of it, further cementing Bryant’s legacy. Bryant racked up ten points and seven assists in the game, making it a pretty decent game for the soon to be retired superstar.
While no one could compare to Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry sure tried. Westbrook scored 31 points, picked up eight rebounds and dished out five assists. Westbrook’s hustle and multiple three-pointers throughout the game helped to earn him his second All-Star MVP award. This is the second year in a row Westbrook has earned the honor and the first back-to-back winner since 1959.
Curry played like he would any other game, sinking threes, finishing with 26 points by the end. Even though it was not shown on television, footage was released of Curry making a shot from half-court that helped solidify the game. Curry finished the game with six 3-pointers, five rebounds, and six assists.
The West has dominated the East in five of the last eight games. The Eastern Conference All-Stars, however, didn’t do too terrible. Paul George scored 41 points, sank nine 3-pointers and had five rebounds. Wizards point guard John Wall added 22 points while Lebron James scored 13 points.
Next year’s game will be back in the United States in Charlotte and will be the first one without Bryant since 1998. Dwayne Wade summed that feeling up, “We all at one point in our life wanted to be Kobe in our driveways somewhere…We watched him growing up and we wanted to pay respect to him.” Here’s to the West’s victory and Kobe’s last All-Star game!
