Someone actually tried to defend Kobe Bryant in his final All-Star game, refusing to step aside and yield one last magical moment. Well, sort of.
LeBron James lightheartedly slapped the court as Bryant dribbled on the perimeter in the second quarter, commencing a one-on-one, bring-it-on battle that ended with Bryant's turnaround jumper bouncing off the front of the rim. It also resulted in smiles from both players.
"When you get that opportunity versus a great man," James said, "you just have fun with it."
Playfulness was as plentiful as points during the NBA's highest-scoring All-Star game Sunday at the Air Canada Centre, the West's 196-173 victory making Bryant a winner even though he was far from the best player on the court.