West Wins 2016 NBA All Star Game

The 65th NBA All-Star Game was a series of uncontested slam dunks, 3-pointers, and careless alley-oops. Neither Naismith nor anyone who saw that game would recognize the way it looked Sunday.

With the National Basketball Association calling his career brilliant, there was first a video that showed clips of some of Bryant's best moments - starting with his draft-night selection, an array of dunks, a famous lob to Shaquille O'Neal in a playoff win over Portland, some game-winning shots, his defensive intensity and even some images of his Olympic play. "You remember all the struggles against him and all the competitiveness and you respect him so much for bringing it night after night after night".

Raised for much of his childhood in Italy, speaking several languages and having interest in other cultures, Bryant is one of the most recognized athletes around the world. Anthony Davis had 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting and added six rebounds and Chris Paul had 16 assists.

Oklahoma City Thunder player Russell Westbrook (L) is named back-to-back 2016 NBA All-Star MVP.

Golden State star Stephen Curry added 26 points for the West, who overcame a 41-point performance from Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on behalf of the East.

After the All-Star Game Sunday night, Curry's star power was dwarfed by Kobe Bryant.

It was, of course, for Kobe Bryant, who was playing in his last NBA All-Star Game.

He checked out with 1:06 left to cheers and hugs from his fellow All-Stars who now put up points in bunches the way Bryant did for so long.

The previous record for combined point was 321, set last season and it was shattered with more than half the fourth quarter to go; the 196 total points for the winners easily eclipsed the earlier mark of 163.

There are players that are just as talented. We were all blessed to watch him play for 20 years.

That came after the pregame festivities were a celebration first of Canada, then of Bryant. Kobe Bryant has only 17 home games and a total of 27 games in a purple and gold uniform with his final contest slated to be played on April 13 against the visiting franchise - the Utah Jazz. Nelly Furtado sang "O Canada, " while Ne-Yo performed the American anthem.

"I just want to thank you guys for all your support all these years", Bryant told the "Ko-be!" chanting crowd. "It's all well-deserved".

At 37, Bryant has trouble keeping up with the youngsters - especially the real young ones.

He was the star without playing a starring a role.

"Being able to talk to him and get knowledge and just hear him talking about different things he's done for himself, for the game, his family". By comparison, the combined final score in the 1953 All-Star Game was 155 points. His one steal moved him ahead of Michael Jordan all-time for All-Star Game steals.

The Western Conference elite topped their East rivals 196-173 in a record-shattering All-Star Game, taking advantage of that contest's typically non-existent defense. Not that this was a bad thing, he set an All-Star Game record by nailing nine threes and shot 16-of-26 from the field.