All-Stars Motivated by More Than Kobe
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4C z TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 z USA TODAY SPORTS All-Stars motivated by more than Kobe Mark Medina the season and throughout the All-Star “Growing up, watching Kobe in those Columnist Game.” games, I felt like he was always compet- USA TODAY Sunday’s All-Star Game became itive. He was kind of the one who got the competitive partly because the NBA game going. I think we kept that going changed its format in hopes of giving tonight. I think he definitely would have more meaning to a game that players in loved to watch the way we went out CHICAGO – Kobe Bryant’s tragic other years treated as an inconve- there and competed tonight.” death left his NBA contemporaries in nience. For the third consecutive year Bryant surely would have. He would immediate shock and grief. Bryant’s the winning team won money for a char- have loved seeing star players make countless video tributes have left them ity of its choice. This year featured wrin- clutch plays. He would have loved the feeling nostalgic. And Bryant’s on-court kles. The NBA divided the first three defensive intensity that caused the achievements have given those players quarters as separate games. Officials fourth quarter to last nearly 40 minutes countless memories and wisdom. determined the winner in the fourth even without commercial time. And he Those elements became prevailing quarter based on the first team to score would have loved Kawhi Leonard admit- themes during the NBA All-Star Game 24 points without a time clock, an obvi- ting “it means a lot to me” that he won on Sunday at United Center. And they ous nod to one of Bryant’s jersey num- the first Kobe Bryant MVP award. will continue to be throughout the rest bers. But not every impressive on-court of the regular season and playoffs. But The NBA season itself had become moment traces back to Bryant’s influ- amid the players’ genuine testimonials competitive for other reasons, too. The ence. about Bryant, one thing has gotten lost Lakers entered the season already talk- James wants to rectify last season amid the justified focus on how he has ing about wanting to win an NBA cham- when he missed the playoffs for the first inspired them. pionship after missing the playoffs last time in 13 years after missing a com- Bryant is not the sole source of moti- season for a sixth consecutive year. The bined 27 games with a sore left groin. vation for NBA players. Consider what Clippers would like to steal some of the Anthony Davis wants to win after failing happened in the All-Star Game that fea- Lakers’ championship equity and other Jennifer Hudson performed a tribute to advance past the second round tured Team LeBron finishing with a 157- NBA teams seem emboldened that it no to Kobe Bryant at the All-Star Game. through seven seasons in New Orleans. 155 win over Team Giannis. Though Le- longer seems inevitable that the War- KYLE TERADA/USA TODAY SPORTS Leonard wants to take on the challenge Bron James admitted “you definitely riors will appear in the NBA Finals as in guiding the Clippers the same way he feel his presence” amid all of the Bryant they have in the previous five years. did when he won an NBA title last sea- tributes, it would be inaccurate to say No doubt, Bryant’s death has added ing through a tough stretch, knowing son with Toronto. Paul wants to con- both teams talked externally about win- extra sources of motivation. that he consistently excelled even when tinue to help the Thunder overachieve ning on Bryant’s behalf. In their first home game since his he faced injuries or personal strife. Be- after he experienced injury-riddled sea- “There was no discussion because passing, the Lakers held countless fore Sunday’s game, Chris Paul recalled sons in Houston. we’re all competitors,” James said. “We video tributes before James addressed talking to Russell Westbrook about how You get the point. Bryant will con- wouldn’t be All-Stars if we weren’t com- fans with a passionate impromptu Bryant still maintained his intensity in tinue to inspire these players through- petitors. We all compete at the highest speech. Though the Lakers lost that All-Star Games, which resulted in tying out this season. That should not take level, try to put our respective teams in game to Portland, they played with the Bob Pettit for a league-record four All- away, though, from the other factors position to win every night. So guys def- kind of passion they have sought to rep- Star MVP awards. that will likely ensure more memorable initely just had their sense of pride, that licate all season. Other NBA stars and “We definitely felt his presence,” and competitive moments throughout sense of competitiveness throughout young players credited Bryant for play- Celtics guard Kemba Walker said. the regular season and the playoffs. NBA ALL-STAR GAME WINNERS AND LOSERS Giannis’ team puts up entertaining fight Scott Gleeson frustrated with two late calls. James er didn’t live up to the billing, though. Winner – Rudy Gobert: Gobert was USA TODAY was furious after he felt he got fouled on Doncic scored one bucket in the first the main boost off the bench for Team a 3-point attempt. The refs missed a half and, despite a strand of 3’s in the Giannis, scoring 11 of his 21 points in the CHICAGO – When Giannis Anteto- jump ball call that was overturned on second half, never got into the rhythm third quarter. His last-second alley-oop kounmpo initially selected his team of the ensuing possession. After Harden that’s made him a force with the Maver- from Trae Young kept the quarter score NBA All-Stars, the narrative was how made what appeared to be a game-win- icks this season. Chris Paul replaced tied. outmatched his group would be against ning 3-pointer, the referees had a late him late in the game during crunchtime Winner – Trae Young: Playing in his LeBron James, who had his MVP-cali- whistle to wave it off and call an offen- when it became clear the first-time All- first All-Star Game, Young showed some ber teammate Anthony Davis, the sive foul as Kyle Lowry crashed to the Star wasn’t on his A-game. nerves but ultimately provided one of league’s leading scorer in James Harden floor. On the very next play, Lowry was Winner – Chris Paul: Back in his first the biggest highlights of the game with a and one of the best up-and-coming called for an offensive foul. While play- All-Star Game since 2016, Paul returned half-court buzzer-beater to give Team players in Luka Doncic. ers being able to challenge plays in key with authority, burying a barrage of Giannis momentum heading into half- Early on Sunday that narrative held. situations is a benefit and adds sus- early 3’s and slamming home an alley- time up 92-83. Then Antetokounmpo opted to do what pense, it doesn’t showcase the league’s oop to give Team LeBron life off the Loser – James Harden: The NBA’s he does best: carry a team. His second- refs in the most positive light when it’s bench in the first quarter. Then his bar- leading scorer couldn’t find an offensive quarter outburst, scoring 20 of his 25 at the center of an exhibition game. rage of 3-pointers late in the game were groove, finishing 3-for-9 from beyond first-half points, put Team LeBron up Winner – New scoring format: One huge. He finished with 23 points and six the arc and not taking an attempt inside against the wall. of the most exciting fourth quarters in assists, scoring 13 in the second half. the arc all night. Harden passed up on Then as things heated up in the sec- All-Star history came as a result of the Paul was overshadowed during his stint what looked to be a wide-open game- ond half, with a new scoring format, it league’s newly designed format, which with the Rockets but has reminded the winner late. While he facilitated and fin- was James’ team that found a way to saw an untimed final frame that made league of his worth with Oklahoma City, ished with six assists, his offense didn’t muscle out a victory in a down-to-the- for a much more thrilling finish. It also helping a roster with little star power to ignite Team LeBron when it needed it, wire thriller. paid homage to Kobe Bryant in a fitting sixth place in the Western Conference at offsetting chemistry in the process. Here’s a look at the biggest winners way after the pregame commemora- the midway point. Loser – Domantas Sabonis: The and losers from Sunday night’s game: tions. “The format made it more com- Winner – Ben Simmons: The 23- Pacers’ big man didn’t get much playing Winner – Anthony Davis: The petitive,” MVP Kawhi Leonard said. year-old, two-time All-Star had an ex- time, but he also didn’t do much, finish- hometown kid had Team LeBron wor- Winner – Kawhi Leonard: The Clip- cellent individual game, finishing on a ing with two points in 19 minutes. He ried after he bricked his first free throw pers’ forward and reigning Finals MVP handful of highlight-reel plays and lead- also got severely crossed over by Kemba with the game on the line.