TBT: If not for Kobe, Jordan would've hit game-winner at last All-Star Game
Michael Jordan's last All-Star game in 2003 was one to remember. It is also a good hint at what Kobe Bryant's final All-Star appearance on Sunday could look like.
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5 min read
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant will play in his 18th and final All-Star game on Sunday. Bryant has been on a farewell tour since he announced his retirement in December, receiving gifts, round adulation and videos paying homage to his greatest moments, and the 2016 All-Star game should be no different. At times, the game will surely become a full-blown tribute to Bryant, who was voted in as a Western starter by the fans.
Bryant’s final All-Star game brings up memories of Michael Jordan’s last All-Star game in 2003. Jordan had unretired for the second time in 2001 at age 38 to play for the Washington Wizards. While Bryant is a year younger at 37, and has seen his production decline as he's suffered a multitude of injuries, Jordan was still an effective player in his final years. In the 2002-2003 season, Jordan played in all 82 games (starting 67 of them) and averaged 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 37 minutes. Jordan struggled to shoot the three (29.1 percent) but he shot a solid 44.5 percent from the field.
Interestingly enough, despite his worldwide popularity and strong play, Jordan was not voted into the 2003 All-Star Game by the fans. He was selected by the coaches as a reserve. This is quite different from Bryant, who is having one of the worst seasons of his career but still got more fan votes than any other player.
Jordan did eventually start in the game as Vince Carter bowed to public and fellow All-Star teammate pressure and gave No. 23 his starting spot. Due to an injury, Carter only played in 15 games before the All-Star Game but amazingly, at the time, his popularity was greater than Jordan so he was voted in as an Eastern Conference starter. That deference to Jordan’s legacy carried over to the game by basically everyone looking to send Jordan out the right way.
Jordan’s Eastern Conference teammates constantly looked for him, force feeding him the ball at the start which resulted in seven straight misses. But Jordan got in a groove as the game progressed, making moves from the post to finish with 20 points on 9-of-27 shooting. Jordan also had to do his due diligence on defense, as players on the West constantly went at him, wanting to challenge his Airness for one last time on a big stage. Bryant was one of these players, who actually wore Air Jordans in the game. The Lakers star enjoyed going at Jordan whenever he got the opportunity. The two even traded shots and trash talk at one point.
The whole game became about Jordan and showing him the appropriate appreciation. Even during halftime, after a stirring performance by Mariah Carey that was dedicated to Jordan, he gave an emotionally charged speech that brought him to the verge of tears.
For a brief moment, it looked like Jordan’s last All-Star Game would perfectly end with a game-winner in overtime. Catching the ball above the arc, Jordan drove on Shawn Marion, used a shoulder to create some space and then drained a fall-away jumper. The shot gave the East a two-point lead and seemed to be the ideal way for Jordan’s last All-Star Game to end. Like his last Finals appearance against the Utah Jazz, Jordan would leave the All-Star Game on a memorable shot that seemingly only he could make at such an opportune time. It was a shot that would add to his legendary status as one of the greatest to ever play.
Yet, it wasn’t meant to be as on the ensuing play, Bryant of all people, spoiled Jordan’s storybook ending moment.
With just seconds remaining, Bryant managed to get his hands on a loose ball and then fired up a desperation three-point attempt that missed. But official Ted Bernhardt called a foul on the play, whistling Jermaine O’Neal for pushing Bryant. The Lakers star then went to the line and knocked down two of three foul shots to send the game into double overtime. In the second overtime, Jordan couldn’t recreate any magic and that’s also when the game’s MVP, Kevin Garnett, took over to secure the win for the West.
While Jordan didn’t get to ride off into the sunset, he played 36 minutes and finished with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Not bad for an aging 39-year-old who was dealing with a bevy of injuries.
The 2003 All-Star Game was a showcase for Jordan and Sunday’s game will likely be the same for Bryant. Heading into the All-Star break, Bryant has been having the best stretch of the season, averaging 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the Lakers' last six games.
His former teammate Shaquille O’Neal believes Kobe is finding his groove at just the right time. O’Neal even thinks that Bryant will be gunning for the All-Star MVP award.
“Knowing Kobe as well as I do,” said O’Neal via a TNT press release. “I’m sure if he gets going, and the guys get him going, you know the crowd’s going to want it to happen; certain players are going to want it to happen. If he can find his stroke and get it going a little bit, I can guarantee you he’s going to go for the MVP. It’s his last one, why not go out with a bang? My last one in Phoenix, Kobe and I split the MVP. I kind of knew that would be my last one… Kobe kept feeding me and guys kept feeding me. Knowing Kobe, if he gets it going, especially early, he’s definitely going to go for it.”
MVP or not, Sunday’s All-Star Game will be another opportunity for Bryant to remind everyone watching about his legacy. Just like the man to which he is so often compared.
