Kobe Bryant shares spotlight in final All-Star Game
Russell Westbrook took home his second straight MVP award, but the spotlight was squarely fixed on Kobe Bryant in his 18th and final All-Star Game on Sunday night.
Bryant's teammates often deferred to him, feeding the 37-year-old in all his favorite spots on the floor to give him ample opportunity to shine, but Bryant was gracious enough to share the spotlight.
"It was fun. I had a blast. Playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench ... all those things were fun. I had a great, great time," Bryant said after the game.
He had his encounter with LeBron James, who doffed his cap to the much-anticipated rivalry that never fully came to fruition by getting on all fours to check Bryant on a one-on-one. (James would pop up once again to videobomb Bryant's halftime interview.)
Bryant also had his moment with his old teammate Pau Gasol. The two former Lakers champions converged midway through the fourth quarter as Bryant treated the Spaniard ("Vamos Pau," Bryant said while miked up on the broadcast) to a fadeaway jumper.
There was also the lengthy video tribute to Bryant. Lakers legend "Magic" Johnson took the mic to wish Bryant well before a montage of Bryant's best moments was shown on the jumbotron at the Air Canada Centre. That was followed by a video from Bryant himself bidding adieu to the game he loves most.
Related: Russell Westbrook takes home 2nd straight All-Star Game MVP
Bryant was treated to a deafening chorus of "KOBE" chants as he took to the court. The building erupted in delight a second time when Bryant's first shot (naturally, a fadeaway jumper from the post) swirled around the hoop before finally dropping in.
Finally, when West head coach Gregg Popovich (once a bitter rival) made the classy move to sub off Bryant just before the game ended, the ACC roared once more for the five-time champion - who once dropped 81 points against their home team - as he walked off the court for good.
The Black Mamba finished with a modest line of 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. There was no jersey-gnawing intensity, there were no rim-rattling dunks, there was no gnashing of the teeth as he crouched down in a staunch defensive pose in crunch time. It wasn't the Bryant of old.
Instead, there was a smiling figure, a version of Bryant that's at long last made peace with his life's muse. He made sure to say goodbye - to James, to Gasol, to the fans themselves - as he checked out of his last appearance on the NBA's biggest regular-season stage.
And as always, Bryant gave the league one last round of memories to cherish.