The NBA All-Star game is right around the corner, and Team Eeast will take on Team West, like in old times, in what promises to be a spectacular game,

In addition to this, it will surely be a heartfelt event when the four quarters are over, as the Final Target Score has been changed to 24 in honor of the late, great Kobe Bryant, who is no longer with us.

Kobe was an All-Star regular, featuring 18 times in the showdown, but how many times did he shine the brightest and take the MVP award? And who does he share the record with?

How many times did Kobe Bryant play in the All-Star game?

Kobe Bryant played in the MLS All-Star game a whopping 18 consecutive times, from 1998-2016 (there was no game in 1999 due to the lockout), playing in 15. He ended his All-Star career with the second-most points scored and has the most steals in the game’s history. He was famous for entertaining the fans during this match, showing his competitive spirit and always aiming to please them with a special moment.

A great example of his competitiveness in this exhibition match came in 2012. Bryant went down after taking a shot to the face in the third quarter, with blood streaming from his nose. It was broken.

But The Black Mamba didn’t care, and he continued to strike, finishing up with 27 points, passing Michael Jordan (262) for the most total points of all time at the All-Star Game. In Bryant’s final season, in 2016, he got a staggering 1.9 million votes from the fans to be elected as a starter.

When did the NBA name the trophy after Bryant?

The NBA renamed the All-Star Game MVP Award after Kobe Bryant in February 2020, just a few weeks after he died in a helicopter crash. Two years later, the league released the all-new Kobe Bryant Trophy:

Kobe Bryant’s MVP record

Kobe Bryant was a professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons. He won the prestigious title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) four times. He first won the award in 2002, followed by wins in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Unfortunately, Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and mastery in basketball.

Kobe Bryant is tied with Bob Pettit for the most MVP wins, with both players winning the award four times. Bob Pettit won the award in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1962. Both Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit are regarded as some of the greatest players in NBA history, and their records are a testament to their exceptional skills and talent.

LeBron James, another legendary basketball player, is currently on track to break the record for the most MVP wins. He has won the award three times so far and is considered one of the best players of his generation. If he wins the MVP award again, he will tie with Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit for the most wins, a remarkable achievement for a player still playing at the sport’s highest level.