TORONTO – For all the ways the NBA and its All-Stars sought to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant, there was one conspicuously lacking Sunday.
They never competed, never went after one another or the MVP, the way he once did.
It was not that sort of game, more about taking turns and paying tribute. It was instead the usual showcase of spectacular before the Western Conference All-Stars completed a 196-173 win in by far the highest scoring All-Star game ever, fittingly capped by Stephen Curry sinking a 3-pointer from 42 feet to beat the buzzer.
By then, Bryant had said goodbye, leaving with 1:03 left, he was sent off with a standing ovation, returning the appreciation with a pat of his heart, a salute and a wave
With both teams scoring the previous single-team record of 163 points, the game was most noteworthy for the player making an exit and the one announcing his return.