NBA All-Star MVP Award named in honor of Kobe Bryant

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the All-Star Game MVP award will now be called the Kobe Bryant Award as players lined up to pay tribute to the late NBA icon on Saturday.

“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA all-star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game,” Silver said. “He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.”

Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were buried in a private funeral service in southern California on February 7 after they were among nine people who perished in a horrific helicopter crash on January 26.

The uniforms for Sunday’s All-Star game in Chicago will also honor Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter with LeBron James’ team wearing the No.2 for the basketball-playing Gianna and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team wearing No.24 in a tribute to Bryant.

Antetokounmpo was one of several All-Stars who also spoke Saturday about their memories and the legacy that Bryant left behind.

“The format is amazing,” Antetokounmpo said. “It makes you want to play hard and compete against one another. Each quarter you have the opportunity to win, and it makes it way more competitive.

“But wearing 24 and LeBron wearing No.2, it’s a big honor. I wouldn’t want it any other way representing Kobe and Gigi in tomorrow night’s game.”

Antetokounmpo described the fourtime All-Star Game MVP Bryant as the “Michael Jordan of our generation.”

A public memorial service for Bryant will be held on February 24 at Staples Center arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Also, Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones captured the Slam Dunk Contest by beating out Orlando Magic big man Aaron Gordon in a six-dunk display.

Jones ran from the opposite threepoint line and jumped from 13 feet and slammed in a left handed dunk for his narrow victory.

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield won the Three-Point Contest and Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo defeated Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis in the Skills Challenge.