NBA: Lakers Bryant Grabs MVP
VOA News
11 Feb 2002 04:10 UTC
Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant has earned most valuable player honors at the 51st National Basketball Association all-star game, leading the Western Conference to a 135-120 victory over the East.
Bryant netted 31 points Sunday in Philadelphia, his home town. Local fans jeered nearly every time he touched the ball, and during the awards ceremony. The 23-year-old Bryant said it was hurtful, but was not going to ruin his big day. He became the first player to reach 30 points in an all-star game since Michael Jordan nine years ago.
Meanwhile, Jordan finished the day with just eight points, hitting only four of 13 shots. Jordan, who turns 39 next Sunday, laughed off a botched breakaway dunk attempt in the first quarter that rattled off the rim and went out of bounds.
Regular-season NBA scoring leader Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers managed only five points.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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