Kobe and Shaq reunite to win co-MVPs

For years Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neill combined to make one of the best two man combos in NBA history. They were the main pieces a Lakers dynasty that was able to bring three consecutive championships to Los Angeles. However, they had not played together since 2004 when Shaq was traded to the heat due to drama between the two players.

That all was in the past Sunday night as Shaq and Kobe combined for 44 points to lead the Western Conference past the Eastern Conference 146-119, in the 58th NBA All-Star game in Phoenix Arizona. To make the night an even bigger blast to the past, Phil Jackson was the coach of the West team. He is the Lakers head coach and was the coach of those Lakers teams with Shaq and Kobe.

Kobe Bryant, a starter for the West, scored 27 points to lead all scorers. Shaq, who was playing in his 15th career All-Star game, finished with 17 points and possibly the play of the game. In a rare basketball moment, Shaq found himself out beyond the 3 point line, and being guarded by lead vote getter for the All-Star game, center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Shaq passed the ball through Howard’s legs and then cut to the basket to get the ball back and dunk the ball down. The play drew a huge roar from Shaq’s now home crowd of Phoenix. Even Howard could not help from laughing at the great play.

The play came in a stretch in the 3rd quarter that had Shaq score eight points in a row for the Western All-Stars. That run by Shaq, accompanied with the fact that he was playing in his home arena, probably won him the co-MVP award. The 3rd quarter was dominated by the West, who outscored the East 14 points to add on to their 72-67 halftime lead.

The West was definitely trying to find Shaq and get him the ball. Point Guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets led all players with 14 assists while also scoring 14 points. Paul was one of six All-Stars that were honored at halftime for their performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as members of the Gold Medal winning U.S. Men’s Basketball team. Paul, along with Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James were all given championship rings during a halftime ceremony.

James, a starter for the East, filled the stat sheet as usual with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He really set the tempo early on with his signature style of attacking the basket. However, he will probably be remembered most for his off the glass dunk on the last play of the game. The dunk was a possible preview of what he plans to do next year in the dunk contest as he announced Saturday night that he want to participate next year.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, who finished 2nd in this years Sprite Slam Dunk contest, finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Howard’s highlight of the night other than getting embarrassed by Shaq, was a very powerful dunk over both 6’11 Tim Duncan, and 7’6 Yao Ming. Howard’s fellow Magic teammate Rashard Lewis finished with eight points, and six rebounds.

The win gave a little bragging rights back to the West who had lost three of the past four All-Star games. Next year the game will be held in Dallas, Texas. The game will be played in the new Cowboys Stadium. They hope to fill the 100,000 seats available in the new building.