In an otherwise meaningless exhibition that was approached with so much nonchalance that the coaches handed over their clipboards for players to draw up plays, the alley-oops became so commonplace that the crowd was either too bored or too polite to react, and 3-pointers were launched as if it were last call, there actually came a moment during the highest-scoring NBA All-Star Game in history when someone got into a defensive stance.
Kobe Bryant – the man who would own the night, regardless of the outcome – was above the 3-point line midway in the first half, leaning down, swinging the ball right to left and sizing up LeBron James. James accepted the challenge, slapped the floor with both hands and stretched out his arms daring Bryant. Laughing the whole way through, James swiped at the ball, then crowded Bryant, forcing him into an errant fadeaway that hit the front of the rim.
Even by All-Star Game standards, the defensive effort by both teams Sunday at Air Canada Centre was abominable, with a mind-boggling 369 points scored and 139 3-pointers attempted. But for Russell Westbrook and Paul George – two Southern California natives who grew up idolizing and mimicking the ultra-competitive Bryant and were unconcerned about simply surviving the game unharmed – the turnstile defense served as an invitation to assault the scoreboard and the record book.
"That's the only way I know how to go," Westbrook said after scoring 31 points with eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Western Conference to a 196-173 victory over the Eastern Conference.
George scored a game-high 41 points for the East, coming one point shy of matching Wilt Chamberlain's single-game record and matching Westbrook's output from last season, when the Thunder guard took advantage of the previous low standard for defensive apathy. But Westbrook would emerge from Sunday's game as the first player to win outright MVP honors in consecutive years.
Westbrook plays with a fury, raging against the world and waging war on rims every time he steps on the court. That intensity remained Sunday, but Westbrook also revealed another side of his personality, reveling in being elected an All-Star starter for the first time in his eight-year career.
Drake, the Toronto native, Raptors ambassador and unofficial host of the first All-Star Weekend outside of the United States, introduced the starters while wearing a custom leather jacket that read "Farewell Mamba" on the back. But Bryant and Westbrook were the only two players to step on the floor without first giving Drake a bro-hug. Bryant was too busy nodding and smiling at the raucous fans chanting his name; Westbrook was too busy doing the "hit dem folks" dance, frantically waving his arms and bobbing off the stage with a toothy grin.
Westbrook's smile would reappear throughout the night, as he arguably had more fun than anyone else on the floor. After hitting a series of 3-pointers to start the third period, Westbrook counted them out along the sideline, then broke into another dance before embracing Bryant.
"I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my time, dance a little bit," Westbrook said. "I know a lot of people don't see me smile a lot during the season, so I smile a lot during the All-Star Weekend and enjoy my time having fun."
The most remarkable aspect of Westbrook's back-to-back All-Star MVPs is that he is only 26 months removed from having a third procedure on his right knee but has emerged from that trying period more explosive than ever.
"I don't believe he had surgery, personally," James said with a laugh of Westbrook. "It was like, 'You know what? I’m just going to take a little bit of time off.’ No, but it's been incredible, man. He hasn't lost … he's actually gained a step or two or three. He's one of the most athletic guys that our league has ever seen and obviously in today's game as well. He's a phenomenal talent. You don't come across these guys that often in our sport."
Westbrook has long approached the game with an ornery, you-will-love-me-or-respect-me ferocity, and many fans have come to accept or embrace that attitude. His sometimes combative or terse postgame interviews have only cemented his reputation for being a relentless competitor.
"Ever since I was little, just trying to find ways to be consistent and focused on a goal that I want in life," Westbrook said. "I've just been blessed with the talents to be able to do it. I'm just happy and trying to find ways to use it."
The All-Star Game has been losing its way defensively for a while, as the scoring outputs have increased in each of the past three seasons. It's probably not a coincidence that Bryant was absent from the previous two games, nursing injuries. And in his final All-Star Game, Bryant was unable to physically impose his will or perhaps was "overwhelmed" – as James said – by the farewell festivities.
Sunday's offensive explosion and overall lack of competitiveness seemed like an inappropriate way to send out Bryant, one of the game's most ruthlessly competitive players. Bryant said a year ago that Westbrook "plays mean like I did." And Westbrook is at least looking the part of a player willing to carry on Bryant's legacy of unwavering passion, even in settings in which the opposite tone is tolerated.
The NBA doesn't have to adopt a rule like baseball in which the Midseason Classic determines home-field advantage in the World Series. Trying to fix the game seems silly when it was always more about showcasing the incredible skill, grace and athleticism of its brightest stars than staging a meaningful battle. But the contest could use a few more with Westbrook's mentality; players who don't know how to turn off or turn down the volume on their fervor - while mixing in a good time.
"I like to have fun, but at the same time, I want to also be better, become a better player," Westbrook said. "Any opportunity on the basketball court, I never take it for granted."
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