For the 13th straight year, Kobe Bryant is an NBA All-Star. In addition, Bryant received more votes than any other player. Mamba’s 13th successive trip puts him one behind former Lakers Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone for the most in league history.
KB24 will play his 13th All-Star game for the second time in his city of residence as the festivities return to Staples this year. That infamous number 13 was also the pick in which Bryant was first drafted into the NBA. Of course he was quickly traded from Charlotte to L.A. and the rest is hoops history. It’s shaping up to be quite a weekend for Bryant who will also be honored as the first athlete to have his hands and feet imprinted at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Now the week long wait begins to see if any of Bryant’s teammates will be joining him on the roster. With the injured Yao Ming being voted as a starter, it will be up to David Stern to determine his replacement. Andrew Bynum could be a long shot to start but Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom should get some love as reserves.