Bryant set for NBA All-Star swansong, Green snubbed

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Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers in introduced before their game against the Sacramento Kings, at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California, on January 7, 2016Los Angeles (AFP) - Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant gained the 18th All-Star nod of his career as the starters for the NBA mid-season showcase were announced.

Bryant, the five-time NBA champion who has announced he will retire this year after the conclusion of his 20th season, had paced fan voting for All-Star starters for weeks, despite his own on-court struggles and those of the Lakers.

Bryant on Thursday topped all vote-getters with 1,891,614, and will start alongside Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and San…