When Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was named to the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, it marked his third consecutive selection. This one in particular, though, had special meaning for Bryant, as the game would take place in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pa.<\/p>\n
Before his rise to superstardom with the Lakers, Bryant starred at nearby Lower Merion High School, where he garnered national attention for his play as a teenager. On Feb. 10, 2002, the five-time NBA champion would once again have the opportunity to showcase his talents in the City of Brotherly Love.<\/p>\n
Starting for the Western Conference alongside Bryant were San Antonio Spurs big man Tim Duncan, Minnesota Twins forward Kevin Garnett, the Sacramento Kings’ Chris Webber and Houston Rockets’ Steve Francis.<\/p>\n
Rounding out the team off the bench featured the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Gary Payton, Elton Brand, Peja Stojakovic and Wally Szczerbiak.<\/p>\n
The Eastern Conference countered with a starting lineup that consisted of hometown 76ers point guard Allen Iverson and center Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd and Antoine Walker.<\/p>\n
Complementing the team as reserves were Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Jermaine O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Baron Davis.<\/p>\n
Bryant went on to score a game-high 31 points, adding five rebounds and five assists over 30 minutes of action. He shot 12-of-25 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and additionally sunk all seven of his free throws.<\/p>\n
That effort earned Bryant MVP honors, as the Western Conference went on to win by a final score of 135-120. What’s more, Bryant became the first player to score at least 30 points in an All-Star Game since Michael Jordan achieved the feat in 1993.<\/p>\n
One downside for Bryant was the showering of boos he received throughout the contest, as a result of 76ers fans still expressing disappointment over the Lakers’ 2001 NBA Championship victory.<\/p>\n
The future Hall-of-Famer admitted afterwards that the boos upset him, but he ultimately used them as motivation to put on a show for his family, friends and fans in attendance.<\/p>\n