Kobe Bryant To Represent Lakers in All-Star Game

Kobe Bryant was named to his 18th All Star Game and will represent the Lakers in Toronto.

Kobe Bryant finished as the leading vote-getter this year, beating out Stephen Curry and LeBron James.

The decision comes as no surprise, considering that Bryant has led all players since the first returns came out.  Throughout the season, we’ve also chronicled the fan appreciation that has greeted the Black Mamba as he visits arenas across the NBA for the final time.

Legends like Michael Jordan, Dr. J, Dominique Wilkins, Jerry West, and countless others have participated in video tributes to Bryant whenever he has visited their respective cities.  He has also gotten the respect of his peers on the court during and after every contest.

While Bryant will be introduced last, it should be noted that he likely won’t be playing extended minutes during the actual game.  He has been on a minutes restriction all season and has sat out several games to conserve his body.

Also, this is the first time Bryant has been voted in as a front-court player.  He has played small forward all season to allow D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson to develop in the back-court for the Lakers.

This will be Bryant’s 18th and final All-Star game.  This is also the fourth time that he has led all players in voting (2003, 2011, 2013, and 2016).

Although making the squad by votes in recent years, he has been unable to participate due to injury.  This is the first time that Bryant will play since 2013.

In the front-court, Bryant will be joined by Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.  Leonard overtook Draymond Green for the final spot in the front-court after the third returns.  It will be Leonard’s first All-Star game.

In the back-court, the starters are reigning MVP Stephen Curry and Thunder dynamo Russell Westbrook.

The Eastern Conference was led predictably by LeBron James.  James is a two-time All Star game MVP and this will be his 12th appearance.  He will be joined by Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the front-court.

For George, the return marks a comeback after suffering a leg fracture in 2014.  Now playing his first full-season since injury, he is leading the Pacers to play-off contention in the East.

Carmelo Anthony edged out both Pau Gasol and Andre Drummond for the final front-court spot by less than 53,000 votes.

Kyle Lowry made a splash in overtaking Kyrie Irving for his first start in All-Star history.  Lowry also represents the city of Toronto (so far) as the only Raptor on the roster.  Dwyane Wade makes his 12th appearance in the All-Star game to round out the starting line-up.

Among the more notable names left off the list were Draymond Green in the Western Conference and Jimmy Butler in the East.

Green’s break-out season since winning the championship has been a huge part of the Warriors current success and it reflected in the early returns.

Butler has had an incredible start to the first half of the season for the Chicago Bulls, including hitting a career high 54 points.  In another game, he broke the team record for most points in a half with 41, passing Michael Jordan.

Chris Paul was third in voting for the back-court of the West behind Curry and Westbrook.  He trailed Westbrook by 150,000 despite leading the Clippers without Blake Griffin.  The Clippers have dropped only one game since Christmas.

While not being a starter, Paul remains the front-runner to be named a reserve for the West.

Next: Paul Pierce Is A Man On A Mission

The reserves for both conferences will be announced next week during NBA Tip-Off on TNT.