SB Nation Los Angeles - 2012 NBA All-Star Game: Kobe Bryant Breaks Scoring Record In West Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-02-27T03:00:35-08:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25848872012-02-27T03:00:35-08:002012-02-27T03:00:35-08:00Kobe Bryant Injury: Nasal Fracture Due To Dwyane Wade [VIDEO]
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<p>If <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Kobe Bryant</a> and Dwyane Wade meet in the 2012 NBA Finals, remember this bizarre incident where Wade treated the All-Star Game a little too seriously. Don't expect Bryant to be too happy about what happened.</p>
<p>After the jump, see the video, and perhaps Bryant being more dinged up than he let on.</p>
<p><i><b> <iframe src="https://losangeles.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=26779" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="26779-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe>
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<p>And yes, Wade drew blood.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995997/blood2_1_medium.jpg"><img alt="Blood2_1_medium_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995997/blood2_1_medium_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>The injury itself was unremarkable, <a target="_blank" href="http://twitpic.com/8pajuv">but Kevin Hart's reaction was outstanding</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitpic.com/8pajuv" title="Kobe Bryant breaking his nose isn't funny, but Kevin Har... on Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/8pajuv.jpg" alt="Kobe Bryant breaking his nose isn't funny, but Kevin Har... on Twitpic" height="150" width="150"></a></p>
<p>(<a target="_blank" href="http://twitpic.com/8pajuv">Click here for the bigger image.</a>)</p>
<p>This is a little strange, isn't it? Even weirder is the fact that Bryant seemed to be more injured than he let on.</p>
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<p>Kobe Bryant getting further evaluation for headaches and didn't talk to media.</p>
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/173984914897780736" data-datetime="2012-02-27T04:16:50+00:00">February 27, 2012</a>
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<p>Kobe Bryant suffered a nasal fracture in tonight's game, Lakers say. Dwyane Wade hit him in the third quarter.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/174021159237599232" data-datetime="2012-02-27T06:40:52+00:00">February 27, 2012</a>
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<p>Yeah, I'm sure Bryant will be healthy, but that's a lot of pain to deal with for All-Star weekend in general. Will he take his annoyance on his injury out on Miami the next time they play? Don't be surprised if he does. It is in Kobe's nature to inflict pain on those who cross him.</p>
<p><i><b>To</b></i><i><b> discuss Kobe and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">head on over to Silver Screen and Roll</a>. To talk about Wade and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/">check out Peninsula Is Mightier</a>. </b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/27/2827227/kobe-bryant-injury-dwyane-wade-nba-all-star-game-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-02-26T19:29:26-08:002012-02-26T19:29:26-08:00NBA All-Star Game 2012: Kobe Bryant, MVP Kevin Durant Lead West To 152-149 Win
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<p>Kevin Durant scored 36 points and grabbed seven rebounds, leading the Western Conference All-Stars to a 152-149 win over the Eastern Conference in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at Amway Center in Orlando. LeBron James had 36 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in leading a furious East comeback from down 21 in the fourth quarter, but they fell just short.</p>
<p>Durant was named game MVP. Dwyane Wade had the third triple-double in All-Star Game history with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Kobe Bryant</a> missed one of two free throws with 16.9 seconds remaining, giving the East a chance to tie with a two-pointer or win it with a three, but Deron Williams ariballed a three-pointer in the final seconds. Blake Griffin hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to three points with 1.1 seconds remaining, but Wade missed a contested three at the buzzer.</p>
<p>Kobe scored 27 points on the night, giving him 271 in his 13 All-Star Games played, breaking Michael Jordan's All-Star scoring record.</p>
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<table border="1" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td colspan="4" align="center"><b>Most Points, NBA All-Star History </b></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td width="50"><b>Rank </b></td>
<td width="150"><b>Player </b></td>
<td width="75" align="center"><b>Points </b></td>
<td width="75" align="center"><b>Games </b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Kobe Bryant</td>
<td align="center">271</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td>Michael Jordan</td>
<td align="center">262</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</td>
<td align="center">251</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td>Oscar Robertson</td>
<td align="center">246</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
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</tbody>
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<p>Chris Paul had 12 assists to go along with eight points and five rebounds in 31 minutes. Griffin ended with 22 points and eight boards in 31 minutes.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> center Andrew Bynum started and played five and a half minutes, grabbing three rebounds. He did not play after that, by design, as Bynum had a routine knee injection on Friday.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/26/2827079/2012-nba-all-star-game-results-kobe-bryant-kevin-durant-lebron-james-dwyane-wadeEric Stephen2012-02-26T18:11:35-08:002012-02-26T18:11:35-08:00NBA All-Star Game 2012: Chris Paul Bounce Pass Off LeBron James [VIDEO]
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Chris Paul</a> is probably in the discussion with LeBron James for being the best basketball player in the world. There's a decent chance he was trying to send a message on Sunday night with one particular play when he tried to show up the King. Either that, or he was just bored.</p>
<p>After the jump, check out the play (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/2/26/2826970/video-chris-paul-throws-ball-at-lebrons-back/in/2590506">or you can see it by clicking here</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995844/bronpass.gif"><img alt="Bronpass_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995844/bronpass_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>Paul and the West are away ahead in this contest so far as we're halfway through this contest in Amway Arena in Orlando. <i><b><br></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>To talk about CP3 and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">check out Clips Nation</a>. To discuss LeBron and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a>, </b></i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/"><i><b>go to Peninsula Is Mightier. </b></i><br></a></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/26/2827003/cp3-lebron-james-highlights-nba-all-star-game-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-02-26T17:43:15-08:002012-02-26T17:43:15-08:00NBA All-Star Game 2012 Score: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant Lead West To 88-69 Halftime Lead
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Kobe Bryant</a> has won four All-Star Game MVP awards, including last season, and on Sunday night in Orlando Kobe is playing like he wants a record-tying fifth MVP award. Bryant scored 14 points in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting, helping the Western Conference to a 88-69 lead over the Eastern Conference at halftime of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game.</p>
<p>Kevin Durant of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> had 21 points and six rebounds in the first half, while his Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook scored 17 points, all in the second quarter. Dwyane Wade of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> led the Eastern Conference with 14 points and seven assists, while LeBron James added 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Kobe entered the game needing 19 points to pass Michael Jordan for most points in All-Star Game history, and scored 11 points quickly in the first quarter, and three more in the second</p>
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<table border="1" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td colspan="4" align="center"><b>Most Points, NBA All-Star History </b></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td width="50"><b>Rank </b></td>
<td width="150"><b>Player </b></td>
<td width="75" align="center"><b>Points </b></td>
<td width="75" align="center"><b>Games </b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Michael Jordan</td>
<td align="center">262</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td>Kobe Bryant</td>
<td align="center">258*</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
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<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</td>
<td align="center">251</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Oscar Robertson</td>
<td align="center">246</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
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<td colspan="4"><i>*Through first half Sunday </i></td>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> had their first starter(s) since World B. Free in 1980, and they did not disappoint. Blake Griffin scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, and Chris Paul had seven assists to go with his six points and four rebounds for the Western Conference.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> center Andrew Bynum started and played just five and a half minutes, grabbing three rebounds. Bynum missed all three field goals he attempted, including a three-pointer that did not draw iron. Bynum will not play the rest of the night, as planned, as he had a routine injection in his knee on Friday.</p>
<p><i><b>For more coverage of Kobe and the Lakers, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Silver Screen and Roll</a>. For more Clippers news and notes, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/26/2826838/2012-nba-all-star-game-score-kobe-bryantEric Stephen2012-02-26T17:24:21-08:002012-02-26T17:24:21-08:002012 NBA All-Star Highlights: Chris Paul And Blake Griffin Connect [VIDEO]
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<p>Chris Paul, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Blake Griffin</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> are running high, and the two big stars were rewarded with All-Star appearances at tonight's game. CP3 and Blake were happy to provide the crowd with some highlights early on and give a taste of what Lob City is all about.</p>
<p>Check out the video of the CP3-Blake connection after the jump!</p>
<p><iframe src="https://losangeles.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=26777" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="26777-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe>
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<p>Here's an animation of Griffin thundering down.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995814/griff2.gif"><img alt="Griff2_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/995814/griff2_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>I doubt this will be the last time you see Griffin thundering down, although each of these dunks has to make <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> cringe watching Griffin's knees.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss CP3, Blake and the Clippers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">check out Clips Nation</a>. <br></b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/26/2826906/cp3-blake-griffin-lob-city-all-star-game-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-02-26T14:24:32-08:002012-02-26T14:24:32-08:00Kobe Bryant Pondered Retirement? Alex Rodriguez Believes He Did
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Kobe Bryant</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are still in contention to try and land an NBA championship, but they have a lot of work to do. All of it is due to Bryant's indefatigable work ethic and production, which continue to remain one of the most remarkable aspects of the league. Bryant is one of the most banged up players in the league, yet he still goes out there and plays.</p>
<p>What's most interesting is that Bryant might have been pondering hanging it up last year because the pain had become even too great for him.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2012/02/a-rod-kobe-bryant-retirement-if-not-for-overseas-procedure.html">Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times reports</a>.</p>
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<p>Yet, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez told reporters Saturday that Bryant told him the pain in his right knee and ankle felt so overwhelming that he considered retiring. That is, until an innovative procedure in Germany this off-season on both his right knee and left ankle fixed everything. </p>
<p>Bryant "was really adamant about how great the procedure was for him," Rodriguez told reporters. "I know that he was hurting before, almost even thinking about retirement, that's how much pain he was under. And then he said after he went to Germany he felt like a 27-year-old again. I was still a little apprehensive about it and he kept staying on me about it."</p>
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<p>It's hard to imagine a league without Bryant, but that is something that might have come closer to happening than we realize. With every year that passes, Kobe's exit from the game becomes even more probable, so best for Laker fans to cherish the moments they have left with him.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Bryant and the Lakers,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com"> head on over to Silver Screen and Roll</a>. </b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/26/2826508/kobe-bryant-retirement-rumorsAvinash Kunnath2012-02-25T20:11:54-08:002012-02-25T20:11:54-08:00NBA All-Star Challenges Results: Jeremy Evans Wins Slam Dunk Contest, Kevin Love Wins 3-Point Contest
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<p>On Saturday night, Orlando boasted a stacked lineup of annual events for NBA All-Star Weekend.</p>
<p>The first skills event of the evening was the annual Haier Shooting Stars competition. The event, which featured four teams each comprised of a current NBA player, a current WNBA player and an NBA legend, required the teammates to alternate different shots from different spots on the court, ending with a half-court shot in each round. The team with the best time wins. Team New York emerged victorious as <span>Landry Fields</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> and his teammates, Cappie Poindexter and <span>Allan Houston</span>, managed the best time of 37.3 seconds.</p>
<p>In the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, an obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Tony Parker</a> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> took home the trophy by topping Rajon Rondo's time in a playoff. UCLA Bruins alum Russell Westbrook posted the second-worst time in the opening round and did not make the cut.</p>
<p>In the Foot Locker 3-Point Contest, Kevin Love and Kevin Durant had a finals tiebreaker which ended with Love taking home the prize by a final score of 17-14.</p>
<p>The main event of the evening was the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, which is usually highly anticipated. This year's Contest featured a quartet of relative unknowns: <span>Chase Budinger</span>, <span>Derrick Williams</span>, <span>Jeremy Evans</span> and <span>Paul George</span>. For the first time, the winner of the Dunk Contest was decided by Twitter vote and text message. Over 3 million votes were cast and the winner of the contest was Evans, with over 29% of the vote. His highlight dunk was his second, where he dunked two balls at once.</p>
<p><i>For more on All-Star weekend, stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/23/2820846/2012-nba-all-star-weekend-orlando-kobe-bryant-blake-griffin-lakers-clippers-chris-paul">this StoryStream</a></i><i> or head over to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com.nba/" target="_blank">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub. </a></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/25/2824929/nba-all-star-challenges-results-slam-dunk-contest-3-point-skills-challenge-shooting-starsBill Hanstock2012-02-25T18:56:30-08:002012-02-25T18:56:30-08:00NBA Skills Challenge Results: Russell Westbrook Doesn't Make It Past First Round
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<p>Sunday night in Orlando, the annual NBA All-Star Weekend held some of its long-running exhibition contests featuring a bevy of pro basketball stars. The day featured a stacked lineup of events, including the D-League All-Star Game, the 3-Point Contest and the Shooting Stars event.</p>
<p>Former UCLA Bruins star Russell Westbrook participated in the NBA Skills Challenge, which was an obstacle course of dribbling, passing and shooting at both ends of the court for the best time. Other participants included Tony Parker, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Rajon Rondo</a>, <span>John Wall</span>, Deron Williams and <span>Kyrie Irving</span>.</p>
<p>Westbrook did not survive the first cut, coming in at 33.8 seconds in his first run. Irving was the only competitor to do worse in the opening round, posting a time of 42.2 seconds.</p>
<p>Tony Parker took home the trophy, with Rondo coming in second. Parker's final round looked lackadaisical but clocked in at 32.8 seconds. Rajon muffed three bounce passes in a row on his final run, which ended up being the difference as his time was 34.6 seconds.</p>
<p><i>For more on All-Star weekend, stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/23/2820846/2012-nba-all-star-weekend-orlando-kobe-bryant-blake-griffin-lakers-clippers-chris-paul">this StoryStream</a></i><i> or head over to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com.nba/" target="_blank">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub. </a></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/25/2824675/nba-skills-challenge-results-russell-westbrook-all-star-weekendBill Hanstock