This season Kobe Bryant was voted to the All-Star game for the 14th time in his illustrious career. Bryant has won All-Star game MVP four times, a record he shares with Bob Petit. Bryant has become a regular fixture at the mid-season event, and most likely will have a few more appearances before he calls it a career.
So, with the All-Star game set to take place on Sunday evening we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of Bryant’s memorable performances at the All-Star game throughout his career.
So, without further ado, here’s Kobe Bryant’s All-Star appearances through the years.
1998 NBA All-Star Game: Madison Square Garden, New York
Bryant’s first All-Star appearance was a special one, as the young Laker got to take on Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
httpvhd://youtu.be/PqChFeNAn4Q
2001 NBA All-Star Game: MCI Center, Washington D.C.
Following his first NBA championship in 2000, Bryant dazzled the Washington D.C. crowd with an off-the-backboard alley-oop to Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
httpvhd://youtu.be/e-6aFg_TZeg
Next Page: 2002 & 2003 NBA All-Star Game
2002 NBA All-Star Game: First Union Center, Philadelphia
Back in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA, Bryant won his first All-Star game MVP award. While the crowd wasn’t entirely pleased to see Bryant win the award, it was still a special homecoming for the MVP.
httpvhd://youtu.be/StD188PYUpA
2003 NBA All-Star Game: Philips Arena, Atlanta
In what ended up being Michael Jordan’s final All-Star game, Bryant hit two free throws late in overtime to force a second extra period, in which the Western Conference would ultimately get the win.
httpvhd://youtu.be/6RMphNr_aaY
Next Page: 2004 & 2005 NBA All-Star Game
2004 NBA All-Star Game: Staples Center, Los Angeles
It was Bryant’s first All-Star game in front of his home crowd. Bryant scored 20 points during that game, second only to teammate and MVP Shaquille O’Neal.
httpvhd://youtu.be/MIbcXsoJ3es
2005 NBA All-Star Game: Pepsi Center, Denver
Bryant took the floor in Denver and ended up being the second leading scorer on the Western Conference with 16 points. He trailed only Ray Allen, then of the Seattle Super Sonics, who scored 17.
httpvhd://youtu.be/UHj5W5Gw83k
Next Page: 2006 & 2007 NBA All-Star Game
2006 NBA All-Star Game: Toyota Center, Houston
In 2006 Bryant hit a game-tying jumper late in the fourth before the Eastern Conference ultimately got the win behind a 21-year-old LeBron James.
httpvhd://youtu.be/fiEAfYgVTyI
2007 NBA All-Star Game: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas
For the first time in NBA history the All-Star game was held in Las Vegas, NV. Kobe Bryant felt right at home in Sin City, as he won his second All-Star game MVP.
httpvhd://youtu.be/-t2YQ05lv3U
Next Page: 2009 & 2011 NBA All-Star Game
2009 NBA All-Star Game: U.S. Airways Center, Phoenix
This ended up being one of the more nostalgic moments for Lakers fans. Bryant and former-teammate-turned-Phoenix-Sun Shaquille O’Neal teamed up for the first time since O’Neal left the Lakers, and ultimately ended up co-MVPs.
httpvhd://youtu.be/sYM7XeBjetc
2011 NBA All-Star Game: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Bryant was in front of his home crowd at the Staples Center, and he didn’t disappoint. Bryant won his record-tying fourth All-Star game MVP, scoring 37 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
httpvhd://youtu.be/aQtconOjTmo