Kobe Bryant bids emotional farewell in final All Star appearance

The 18-time All-Star is set to retire in the summer

(Getty Images)

It may be billed All Star weekend but there was one star that shone brightest in Toronto as the West beat the East 196-173.

The weekend was highlighted by one of the best slam dunk contests in recent history as Zach LaVine battled Aaron Gordon on Saturday night. However, this game was all about Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers legend who will finish one of the best careers in NBA history at the end of the season.

It was Bryant whose name got the biggest cheer as the players were introduced to the crowd and it was Bryant who had not one but two special video tributes relayed on the jumbotron just ahead of tip-off.

There was a standing ovation, a farewell message and chants of 'Kobe, Kobe, Kobe' reverberating around the Air Canada Cente before the action had even started. When he was withdrawn for the final time with just about a minute left to play, the whole arena was on their feet.

In his 18th All Star appearance, tied first all-time, Bryant managed only 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while his eroding skill and athleticism was clear in comparison to the players he shared the court.

However, despite the likes of Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant sharing the floor, all eyes were on Bryant. Every time the 37-year-old shot there was an audible drawing of breath in the arena, while his points were always met with the loudest cheers.

It may only be an exhibition game with very little at stake, but with the Lakers racing to the bottom for a high draft pick in the summer, this was the five-time champion's last real moment in the spotlight.

“I had a blast playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench,” Bryant said after the game. “And, you know, I got a chance to stop Pau [Gasol] in the post, redeem myself from what he did to me when Chicago came to town. But all those things are just fun. I had a great time. I had a great, great time.”

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook was named the game MVP for the second year in a row after leading Western scorers with 31 points. Paul George of the Indiana Pacers led all scrorers with 41 points, a mark that saw him just a point short of Wilt Chamberlain's all-time All-Star game record.

Westbrook, asked about Kobe Bryant after the game, said he had been inspired by the Lakers legend.

“Definitely,” he said. “I think everybody in the whole arena, whole room, definitely aspired to see Kobe Bryant in his last game. It's just an honor and blessing to be able to be a part of it and kind of see him on his way out.”