All Star Game 2011

[Fresh8]

I will try and get down to a pub to watch the second half during my lunch break.

Any predicitons from you guys to get this thread started?

West win by 5. Kobe Bryant MVP.

[JaoSming]

East by 14, Paul Pierce

[Fresh8]

I know I have a surefire bet Kobe Bryant for Most Field Goal Attempts!

[Andrew]

East wins, Rose for MVP.

[Axel The Great]

West wins, Yao... I mean Durant for MVP. This is the only time of the year that I actually "like" Kobe.

[rise]

I know I have a surefire bet Kobe Bryant for Most Field Goal Attempts!

That could be said for basically any game of the year.

East by 10, LeBron wins MVP and nearly gets a triple-double.

[Fresh8]

I wonder how Carmelo will play. He better be playing hard!

[Andrew]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that based on the first six minutes, Kobe wouldn't mind snaring the MVP hardware.

[Fresh8]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that based on the first six minutes, Kobe wouldn't mind snaring the MVP hardware.

Worst kept secret this weekend?

He would tie the record for most All-Star MVPs if he wins it today.

And good thing you posted as I did not take into account daylight savings when I looked at tv schedule!

[Lean]

That Kobe shoulder-fake-fadeaway air ball called the game for me. He's taking too many shots.

[Fresh8]

That Kobe shoulder-fake-fadeaway air ball called the game for me. He's taking too many shots.

My prediction is taking shape

[Andrew]

That Kobe shoulder-fake-fadeaway air ball called the game for me. He's taking too many shots.

It's not quite DeMarcus Cousins-level MVP chasing, but seems he's definitely determined to tie the record on his home floor. 6/10 as of this post though which certainly isn't unreasonable, Durant's 5/12 so far.

[Lean]

Kobe should sit down.

[Andrew]

76-64. Looks like it's going to be a West victory, difficult to imagine that Kobe won't get the MVP at this point though obviously still plenty of time left.

[Fresh8]

What's the feel of the game like? Reckon I'm in for a good second half?

[Andrew]

What's the feel of the game like? Reckon I'm in for a good second half?

As you're a Kobe fan, I would say yes. I'm hoping the East can catch up and keep it competitive through the second half.

[Fresh8]

What's the feel of the game like? Reckon I'm in for a good second half?

As you're a Kobe fan, I would say yes. I'm hoping the East can catch up and keep it competitive through the second half.

Yes, would love to see a big finish down the stretch.

My ideal scenario: East make it a tight game in the fourth quarter and Kobe Bryant has a barrage of clutch shots to win it for the West.

EDIT: Looked up scoring record and I have a feeling Kobe is going for Wilt's 42 points.

[Andrew]

Wouldn't surprise me all that much, he's halfway there. In any case, it's the All-Star game, I say catch it if you can.

[Andrew]

32 points, 21 field goal attempts halfway through the third. Looks like it's going to happen, though to be honest I'd prefer to see the entire Western team strut their stuff than Kobe shooting the ball every time he touches it. He's sure knocking them down though.

[kibaxx7]

129-114 for the West with 8 minutes left... happy with Manu's contribution

[Justine.]

The East is catching up somehow, 1:10 minutes left.

[JaoSming]

nice All Star game, I did think it was better than the Rookie/Sophomore game on Friday but I can't say it held my attention throughout.

[Fresh8]

Good to see the East come back. Would have loved to see Kobe get the record as he was 9 points away from it when he came back into the game but I am happy with a West win. Nice to see him defer to Kevin Durant late in the game. And he still had 37/14 which isn't bad at all.

[Andrew]

West win by 5. Kobe Bryant MVP.

Spot on, great call.

I guess when a player scores 37 and his team wins you've got to give him the MVP award but I'd have been tempted to give it to Durant, he was the one who scored 14 in the fourth quarter and hit the big three to stop the East run and all but seal the game for the West. When Kobe came back into the game in the fourth and was chasing the scoring record, it wasn't really helping the West at all. LeBron picked up the second triple double in the history of the All-Star game but it was done so quietly and Kobe's scoring barrage kind of overshadowed everything, plus the East didn't win so you can't really give it to him.

So yeah, fair call giving it to Kobe but I thought he actually hurt them more than he helped them in the fourth and at times his MVP/scoring record chase wasn't that exciting to watch (I'm sure Kobe fans would vehemently disagree and understandably so) but like I said before, he was sure knocking them down.

All in all it was a fun game thanks to the late run by the East, it was great to see it get competitive and there were some nice dunks and plays along the way. Good game to cap off an entertaining All-Star Weekend.

[Fresh8]

Wow, I didn't even realise I got my prediction right.

Response to Andrew: I'd probably give MVP to both Kobe and Kevin. Kobe for building that lead and 21 first half points and Kevin for clinching the game. I also agree that Kobe was hurting the West a bit with his shooting in the final quarter but you got to hand it to him for giving Durant the ball down the stretch. I was expecting him to be trying to go 1 on 3 after their timeout with the East just 1 or 2 shots away from a tie.

EDIT: Also got the most field goal attempts prediction right. 3 for 3 is not bad