On Sunday, the 64th NBA All-Star game will be played in New York City, at Madison Square Garden
Although it seems like yesterday, February 8, 1998 was the last time New York City hosted the NBA All-Star game. Then, the “new” Madison Square Garden located on 7th Avenue between 31st– 33rd Street, with its celebrity clientele and impressive sight lines, was the stage for what was classified as a passing of the torch: present (Michael Jordan) vs. future (Kobe Bryant).
The build up to the game revolved around five-time champion Michael Jordan as the star attraction. Second year phenom Kobe Bryant was the youngest All- Star in NBA history. Four Lakers played in the game: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. Grant Hill was pre-ankle surgery Grant Hill, in other words, he was dynamic and explosive. Tim Duncan was a rookie.
Feb 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference guard Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers with the ball in the first quarter of the 2013 NBA all star game at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
There was no dunk contest that year. It was replaced by a 2ball contest, a rather insipid replacement that had a short history.
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Going into the game, Jordan displayed his normal wrath. He had been denied the MVP of the 1997 All-Star game even though he had a triple double which wasn’t nearly as impressive as Glen Rice’s 20 point third quarter, which set a record. Still, Jordan could never forget a slight.
But, there was something else at stake too. Jordan was well aware of all the talk, that 19 year old Kobe Bryant was his heir apparent. Facing him for the first time in an exhibition game, Jordan intended to relay a message.
The Kobe-Jordan rivalry had been speculative during the season. Kobe wasn’t even a starter on his own team but he was always fearless and in that way he was a carbon copy of Jordan.
During All-Star media week, the rivalry that wasn’t took on a life of its own. Of course, Jordan, with his usual annoyance, skipped out on the required media sessions, preferring to pay the $10,000 fine. Jordan claimed he was sick and it was reported that he visited doctors with a fever but skepticism hung in the air. It was typical Jordan who was allowed to play by his own rules since he was the NBA’s premier cash cow.
Surprisingly, it was not Jordan who took the most shots in the game. Or Kobe. It was Kobe’s teammate Eddie Jones. Jordan took 18 shots. Kobe took 18 shots. Jones took 19.
Jordan was Jordan-esque, controlling the pace of the game, scoring whenever he wanted to and leading the East to a rout. He even took a free throw with his eyes closed. He won the MVP after dropping 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 8 assists. Larry Bird, who made his coaching debut for the East, let it be the Michael Jordan show in the 4th quarter, while George Karl of the Western Conference didn’t play Kobe in the 4th. For that decision, denying the fans a one-on-one of Jordan-Kobe, Karl received intense criticism.
Fourth quarter or not, Kobe Bryant led the Western Conference in scoring with 18 points. Tim Duncan had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Grant Hill had 15 points and 5 assists for the Eastern Conference. And the fans had a night to remember.