LeBron James Goes Off, Scores Rare Triple-Double In All-Star Game Loss

It would seem, at first glance, that the people who decide who should be the All Star MVP were being sarcastic when they awarded it to Kobe Bryant instead of LeBron James last night. Mainly because James recorded himself a triple-double with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists --...

By Chris Joseph

February 21, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

It would seem, at first glance, that the people who decide who should be the All Star MVP were being sarcastic when they awarded it to Kobe Bryant instead of LeBron James last night. Mainly because James recorded himself a triple-double with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists -- joining Michael Jordan as the only other player to score a triple-double in the All Star game. LeBron and his balls of steel almost single-handedly brought the East back for the win.

Instead, the MVP voter people decided to ignore LeBron's amazing feats of awesome and went with Bryant, who scored 37 points in the West's 148-143 win over the East.

James gave Bryant a run at MVP honors, posting a triple-double for the East with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Amare Stoudemire had 29 points for the East, which never led again after an early 4-2 edge.

The West led by as many as 17, but James' driving layup brought the East within 142-140 with 1:12 to play. Pau Gasol answered by tipping in Bryant's miss, and Chris Paul made two free throws to put the West back in control.

So, despite LeBron's otherworldly performance, L.A.'s Kobe Bryant wins the All Star Game MVP in a game played in L.A. Least surprising ending ever.

But no matter. Because LeBron is playing out of his mind right now and is going to make a serious run at league MVP the rest of the way if he continues to bust skulls like he did Sunday night. The competition is going to have to start taking extreme measures in order to stop him the rest of the season. Like guarding him with all five defenders. Or fielding an entire team made up of crocodiles with bazookas strapped to their backs. Stuff like that.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Miami New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.