OKC Thunder: Chris Paul moxy tops 5 takeaways from 2020 NBA All-Star Game
Fourth quarter – Mamba style:
The weekend was filled with tributes and thoughts of Kobe Bryant. Speeches, songs, shoes, and clothing with images of Bryant permeated the United Center and Chicago streets.
Players and analysts all spoke of special moments and memories shared with Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant. The NBA All-Star MVP was renamed to honor the fallen superstar. Each team donned a jersey with Kobe and Gianna’s 24 or 2 on the back.
The game was revamped with the “targeted score” utilizing the added factor of 24 in honor of Bryant’s famous jersey number.
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But, perhaps the most fitting homage to the Mamba was how the game was played and specifically that fourth quarter. It embodied the all-out, two-way, kill or be killed style of the star. Kobe loved to go one-on-one versus the best in the business and as fans, we were treated to a constant diet of that thought process in every offensive and defensive set run.
That it took almost 48 minutes to play the final frame highlights how intensely dialed in both squads were to stop their opponents from reaching the established 157 points.
Every player on the court had ties to Bryant either personally, professionally or both. Even Pascal Siakam the lone first-time All-Star on the hardwood in the pivotal frame spoke of how touched he was when Bryant served up one of his ESPN Detail film series on the young star.
Kawhi Leonard typically doesn’t get invested in regular season (let alone All-Star) games. The Klaw’s playoff type effort spoke volumes and afterward, he cited his bond with Bryant and how special winning the inaugural award was for him.
Yet, of all the players on the court, it was Chris Paul who stood out the most in this regard. That he instigated the format change perfectly reflecting Bryant’s renowned competitiveness was apropos. Closing in on 35 years, CP3 played as if he was running on legs a decade younger.
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I like to think father and daughter were seated on an ethereal cloud, watching as this great tribute to the pair played out. A smiling Kobe turning to Gianna saying “now that’s the Mamba mentality”.