NBA All Star Game 2012-2013

The NBA All Star game is a showcase of some of the best basketball talent in the world. Some people say it is a glorified pickup game...but I am guessing these people never played in a pickup game. I have played this game at various levels and sometimes the intensity and skill set to survive and win a pickup game are second to none.

The last few years these games have been quite competitive and I think the credit for that goes to Kobe Bryant. He plays hard. Every game. He relishes competition and wants to rise above. This game though he seemed content to play the part of the elder statesman...distributing the ball and making plays...until the fourth quarter. The game was suddenly close and the stage seemed to be set for Lebron to take over. Then this happened... The entire arena was filled with oohs and aahs. I have never seen Lebron get blocked like that. Moments later, Kobe delivered another block...this time on a layup. The Mamba had made his mark.

15 All Star appearances and still going hard every single minute. Respect.

KobeMask

Everyone who follows (and some who don't!) basketball know by now that Dwayne Wade broke Kobe Bryant's nose during the all star game last week. It was a hard, cheap foul but enough has been written about that so I'll just let that pass. What was interesting was that reports that not only did Kobe suffer from a broken nose but also a concussion. Now that is serious stuff. Everyone was wondering how he will adapt. Today we got our answer.

The Lakers played the Timberwolves today and Kobe was....well...Kobe. Jumpers. Dunks. Steals. Assists. Rebounds. All there. A stellar game. All wearing a face mask which must be making him look even more fearsome to those guarding him. Even haters can't help but appreciate the dedication Kobe has to the game of basketball. Respect.