Kobe Bryant All-Star Weekend Picture Gallery
"It's about having fun, but the fun is in the competition." Kobe Bryant, describing the NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Weekend is set to begin in Chicago, returning to the Windy City for the first time since 1988. The 1980s was the golden age for the event, when all-time greats like Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and Michael Jordan not only put on a show but also showcased their skills/competitive greatness.
I enjoyed the privilege of covering each NBA All-Star Weekend from 2005-10, gathering precious memories and stories.
Kobe Bryant was selected as an All-Star during each of those seasons, but due to injuries he only made a cameo appearance in 2008, and he did not play in 2010. However, during that six year span he also won two of his four All-Star Game MVPs. Bob Pettit is the only other four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. Bryant was selected as an All-Star 18 times overall, second all-time behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19).
Here are some pictures that I took of Bryant at various All-Star Weekends.
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| 2005 Western Conference All-Star Practice
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| 2007 All-Star Game Running the Offense |
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| 2007 All-Star Game On Court Interview with Ernie Johnson
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| 2007 All-Star Game MVP Press Conference |
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| 2009 All-Star Game Introduction |
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| 2009 All-Star Game Co-MVPs: Shaq and Kobe |
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During the postgame press conference for the 2009 All-Star Game,
I asked West Coach Phil Jackson to share his thoughts about Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant evolving from their rivalry as Lakers' teammates just a few years earlier to sharing the All-Star MVP while enjoying each other's company. Jackson gave a very thoughtful reply:
I think it is a great life lesson for
people. This is something that the people work together, people find a
way to get through situations, find harmony in their life, find
co-habitation. I hope this speaks volumes not just for our community in
basketball but our world community too and I like the idea that we even
brought that to the All-Star Game and brought the international flavor
in. Basketball is a thing that is a game. It is played as a game but it
is serious business to these players and it is wonderful to see them
have fun at it in a game like this. Now it is great to get back to the
business of finishing this season off.
Labels: Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Star Game, Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal
posted by David Friedman @ 7:34 PM
