NBA All-Star Game 2016 Preview: The Kobe Bryant Show
Kobe Bryant will play in his final NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night in Toronto
Sunday night will be one more “last” for Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant as the impending retiree will take the floor as a starter for the Western Conference in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, which will be Kobe’s 18th and his last.
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Even for fans outside of the Lakers, Sunday night will largely be about Kobe. Not only will there undoubtedly be a ceremonious welcome for the living legend as he makes his final rounds around the NBA. There will be some sort of pomp and circumstance, but the real question is whether or not Bryant will be able to shine for one final time in the NBA All-Star Game and set the odd record for the most All-Star Game MVPs by capturing his fifth.
Though Kobe has maintained through this entire process that he’s not gunning for the MVP, it’s hard to believe that his Western Conference teammates won’t be trying to make it happen for him, feeding him the ball and putting him in a position complete his quintet of NBA All-Star Game MVPs.
Regardless of if he gets that final MVP, though, all Lakers fans can really hope for is at least a couple more of iconic Kobe moments. Even at 37 years old, he’s shown this season that he’s capable of turning back the clock on occasion, particularly when he’s up against the highest level of competition. Considering that these are the best players in the league taking the floor in Toronto, one can only hope that will be the case again for Kobe.
As for the game itself, fans can expect largely what is customary from the NBA All-Star Game. There won’t be much defense on display until the final minutes of the game when the competitive streak that all of these top players in the league innately possess surfaces. However, with all of the talent and (hopefully) with Kobe having the chance to go to work and make things happen, the All-Stars will put on a great show all around.
East vs. West
Date: Sunday, Feb. 14
Start Time: 5:30 p.m. PT
Location: Toronto, ON
Arena: Air Canada Centre
TV Info: TNT
Live Stream: Watch TNT
Rosters
Western Conference All-Stars
Live Feed
Blue Man Hoop
- Kobe Bryant – Lakers
- Stephen Curry – Warriors
- Kevin Durant – Thunder
- Kawhi Leonard – Spurs
- Russell Westbrook – Thunder
- Draymond Green – Warriors
- Klay Thompson – Warriors
- Chris Paul – Clippers
- James Harden – Rockets
- DeMarcus Cousins – Kings
- LaMarcus Aldridge – Spurs
- Anthony Davis – Pelicans
Eastern Conference All-Stars
- Carmelo Anthony – Knicks
- Paul George – Pacers
- LeBron James – Cavaliers
- Kyle Lowry – Raptors
- Dwyane Wade – Heat
- Pau Gasol – Bulls (replacing Jimmy Butler)
- John Wall – Wizards
- Andre Drummond – Pistons
- Al Horford – Hawks (replacing Chris Bosh)
- DeMar DeRozan – Raptors
- Paul Millsap – Hawks
- Isaiah Thomas – Celtics
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Enjoy Kobe Bryant’s final NBA All-Star Game and be sure to check back with Lake Show Life for all your Lakers news, updates, analysis, and more.