LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant always shines brightest among the stars, especially in his hometown.
Bryant brought Showtime back to the All-Star Game, scoring 37 points and tying a record with his fourth MVP award, leading the Western Conference to a 148-143 victory over the East on Sunday night.
“I feel like we have a sense of responsibility and we are voted in for what we do during the season, which is play hard,” Bryant said. “Andwe come here, that’s what the fans want to see. They want to see us go at it and see us compete and that’s what I try to do and that’s what I try to tell my teammates to do.”
Returning to the game he dominates after a one year absence, Bryant added 14 rebounds in a spectacular performance in front of the usual celebrity-filled crowd that turns out to see his Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
“It feels great, being at home here and playing in front of the home crowd,” Bryant said after receiving the MVP trophy. “This will be my last All-Star game in front of these home fans, so it feels good to do it.”
Kevin Durant had 34 points, scoring five consecutive after the East cut a 17-point deficit after three quarters to two points with 2:34 left. The NBA scoring leader added the clinching free throws after the East got back within three in the final seconds.
LeBron James powered the East rally, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to join Michael Jordan as the only players with a triple-double in the All-Star Game. Amare Stoudemire also scored 29, but Miami’s Dwyane Wade, the MVP of the East’s victory last year, had to leave with an ankle injury after scoring 14.
Wade said he rolled the ankle he originally hurt in a loss at Boston last week. He was hoping James would pull it out without him.
“I wish the East would’ve won, then my teammate with the triple double would’ve stole [the MVP],” Wade said. “But [Bryant] deserved it.”
Bryant had 21 points by halftime, putting him halfway to Wilt Chamberlain’s record from 1962, the year of his 100-point game.
“You could tell he started out from the start, he wanted to get the MVP,” Stoudemire said. “He was not passing the ball, at all. But that’s Kobe.”
And when the East made it close in the third quarter, Bryant dunked over a chasing James who was going for the block, then nailed a three-pointer to make it 90-79.
“He was unbelievable tonight,” James said. “You definitely saw his motor was going tonight.”
Carmelo Anthony scored eight points in his possible goodbye to the West team. The weekend was dominated by talk of a potential trade to New York or New Jersey, and the Denver Nuggets forward appeared alternately entertained and annoyed by the constant questions.
“At times, it can be tough, but it’s fun at the same time,” he said while walking on the magenta carpet before the game. “During this weekend I’m still having fun.”
While hearing some of the usual “MVP! MVP! chants he’s usually serenaded with at Staples Center, Bryant tied Bob Pettit’s record for All-Star game honors. He was scoreless for the final 6:48, but Lakers teammate Pau Gasol had a big basket to help the West hold on.
Gasol scored 17 points, helping the West hold on against an East team featuring a combined seven players from Boston and Miami, considered two of the biggest threats to end the Lakers’ reign.
Boston’s Paul Pierce - who grew up in nearby Inglewood - and Kevin Garnett received the heaviest boos during the starting lineups. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were also here from the group that lost Game 7 to the Lakers last June.
East Coach Doc Rivers sent his four players out together midway through the first quarter to loud boos that usually provide the soundtrack of June in Los Angeles. They quickly turned to cheers when Allen threw up an airball on his first shot attempt.
Bryant denied gaining extra motivation from seeing the two rivals, both of whom already won at Staples Center this season. But he was clearly into the game from the start, driving for a couple of strong dunks or knocking down jumpers when defenders gave him room.
Chris Bosh scored 14 points, Allen had 12, and Derrick Rose and Joe Johnson (Little Rock Central/ Arkansas Razorbacks) each had 11 for the East.
Bryant scored 11 points in the first quarter and the West led 76-64 at halftime.
Sports, Pages 13 on 02/21/2011