1. Magic Johnson (1992)- West 153, East 113
Team: Los Angeles Lakers (West)
Location: Orlando, FL
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 25 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds
When it comes to impact, it is hard to find any other performance that touched the NBA world the way that Magic Johnson's performance did in 1992. Just months after retiring at the top of his career because of HIV, Johnson made his return to an emotional crowd for the All-Star Game in Orlando. Despite protests from some of the other players, Johnson suited up for his last All-Star Game. Magic was the headliner for that night as it was the most memorable moment that captured the hearts of the fans. He finished the game with 25 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Magic has had many great All-Star games, but this is his the game that is his crowning moment. It is significant because nobody thought that he would even live, let alone participate. The final showdown that Magic had with Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas made this even more special as the West dominated the East 153, 113.
2. Michael Jordan (1988) East 138, West 133
Team: Chicago Bulls (East)
Location: Chicago, IL
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 40 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 blocks
Michael Jordan was the Ambassador for All-Star Weekend in Chicago. The night before, he defeated Dominique Wilkins in a heavyweight classic battle known as the "Slam Dunk Contest". To finish things off, Jordan delivered the best statistical game at the time for anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain. Michael out shined a "Who's Who?" of Top 10 Greats from Magic, Bird, Kareem and Hakeem along with other legends like Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Isiah Thomas, etc. MJ finished the game with 40 points (17-23 shooting), 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks as the East defeated the West in a close game 138, 133. Michael took home ASG MVP Honors in front of the hometown crowd at Chicago Stadium. The West put up a great battle, but had no answer for Jordan. Michael announced his arrival as the best pure player in the game on this night, and for the season as he would later win NBA MVP.
3. Wilt Chamberlain (1962) West 150, East 130
Team: Philadelphia Warriors (East)
Location: St. Louis, MO
All-Star Game MVP: No
Stat Line: 42 points, 24 rebounds
Despite his team losing this game, Wilt Chamberlain's numbers in the 1962 NBA All-Star Game are out of this world. In typical Wilt fashion, he destroyed the stat sheet with 42 points and 24 rebounds. Wilt is the highest ranked player on this list to not win All-Star Game MVP in his best performance. Bob Pettit won the Game's MVP Award, but Wilt was clearly the star that night. Wilt won ASG MVP in his rookie season of 1960, but this game gets the nod because Chamberlain set the record for most points in All-Star Game History (42).
4. Kobe Bryant (2011) West 148, East 143
Team: Los Angeles Lakers (West)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 37 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Kobe Bryant was in his best form during the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. Bryant clearly felt the momentum from the hometown crowd at the Staples Center because he put on the best All-Star show of his career with 37 points, 14 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals as the West defeated the East 148-143. Kobe earned his fourth All-Star MVP Award, tying Bob Pettit for the most in NBA History.
5. Isiah Thomas (1986) East 139, West 132
Team: Detroit Pistons (East)
Location: Dallas, TX
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 30 points, 10 assists
Isiah Thomas was always entertaining in the All-Star Game as he battled rival PG Magic Johnson. However, Zeke's best game was in 1986 when he dominated the ball by leading the East in a fourth quarter rally to win 139-132. Isiah dropped 30 points with 10 dimes as he took home his second All-Star MVP Award.
6. Allen Iverson (2001) East 111, West 110
Team: Philadelphia 76ers (East)
Location: Washington, DC
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 25 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 rebounds
Scoring Champ and MVP Allen Iverson was a perennial show stopper in the All-Star Game. However, his 2001 Performance is clearly his most standout game. Iverson was the shining star in front of the Washington, DC crowd as he carried an Eastern Conference team with Jerry Stackhouse, Antonio Davis, Anthony Mason and Dikembe Mutombo to victory over a Western Conference team stacked with starpower in the frontcourt. The West team featured beasts like Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace along with Kobe Bryant in the backcourt. That is a heavy accomplishment, as Iverson took home his first All-Star MVP Award with 25 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 rebounds. This is how he would typically carry the Sixers during his career. This was the best game of Allen Iverson's All-Star Legacy.
7. Kevin Garnett (2003) West 155, East 145 (Double OT)
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves (West)
Location: Atlanta, GA
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 37 points, 9 rebounds
Kevin Garnett's 2003 All-Star Game was his most significant. This was Michael Jordan's final All-Star Game, but Garnett stole the show as he led the West to victory 155-145 in double overtime with 37 points and 9 rebounds. This was another stellar All-Star Game among many during the 2000's Decade.
8. LeBron James (2011) West 148, East 143
Team: Miami Heat (East)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
All-Star Game MVP: No
Stat Line: 29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant had a great battle in the 2011 All-Star Game. LBJ embraced his role as a villain during his first year in Miami as he looked to crush the hopes of the fans at the Staples Center by leading the troops in the East to near victory before Kobe saved the day. James finished the game with a Triple Double (29/12/10). If his comeback were successful, LeBron would have won the Game's MVP.
9. Dwyane Wade (2010) East 141, West 139
Team: Miami Heat (East)
Location: Dallas, TX
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 28 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds
Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 28 points to go with his 11 assists and 6 rebounds in front of an all-time attendance record of 108,713 fans at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Wade's performance earned him All-Star MVP Honors. The most special aspect of this game is that Wade shot 75% from the field. Unbelievable.
10. Kobe Bryant (2002) West 135, East 120
Team: Los Angeles Lakers (West)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
All-Star Game MVP: Yes
Stat Line: 31 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds
Kobe Bryant truly left his stamp on All-Star Game History when he won his first of a record four All-Star MVP Awards in the 2002 NBA ASG in his home of Philadelphia, PA. Bryant was heavily booed that night because the Lakers defeated Allen Iverson's 76ers in the Finals the previous year. The fans clearly had a rotten taste in their mouths. Plus, that is how fans in Philly are in general. Nonetheless, Kobe was incredible with a spectacular 31/5/5 game to lead the West to victory 135-120. In the words of John Cena, Kobe truly rose above the hate from the fans that night as he overshadowed the rest of the competition. Another significant thing that I remember from this game was the fact that Allen Iverson was the Ambassador for All-Star Weekend as he wore number 6 in honor of Dr. J. Side Note: This ASG probably had the best collection of shoes by that time.
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