Add Feedback | Send this Article | Published 2/14/03

Graphic By: Matt Witherow

The heirs to Michael's throne are apparent and are in his likeness.
No one could touch Jordan's competitiveness when he was in his prime. His drive to be the best, and his ability to finish went unmatched. Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady are two of the best players who have studied how to "be like Mike." This was evident during the All-Star Game. Both played with their hearts out on the line even though the game essentially meant nothing.

Strategy? Playing to win? In an All-Star Game?
East coach Isiah Thomas and West coach Rick Adelman put the hardest playing guys on the court in order to win down the stretch. Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker for the East and Stephon Marbury for the West saw their minutes disappear in the fourth quarter and overtimes. Instead of enjoying the game, Pierce and Walker were visibly sulking because they weren't getting enough playing time. If Michael Jordan were benched, he would be the first off the bench to cheer on his teammates (while he would be whispering in the coach's ear to put him back in the game). These guys just took it as blows to their already overly-inflated egos. That's the difference between being an All-Star and being a legend.

Jermaine O'Neal ruined a perfect storybook ending for Michael's career.
In the closing seconds of overtime, Jordan scored two points, putting the East on top. Sadly, a silly foul by O'Neal on Kobe's three-point attempt cost Jordan his fairy-tale ending. Actually, wasn't it silly that the foul got called in the first place? Sure, all the Jordan-nostalgia that was annoying, but it was a thing of beauty to see Jordan hit that almost game-winning shot. I wonder if Kobe, in all his Jordan-worship, thought about intentionally missing that third free throw out of tribute to his idol. I'm sure the thought never crossed his mind, and Michael would have had it no other way.

During the game, it was made clear were who the best players in the world.
Kobe, Shaq, Kevin Garnett, McGrady, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, and Tim Duncan proved that they are the best players. The players were paid a measly $20,000 to play in the All-Star Game. Imagine how hard they would play in the Olympics with a gold medal and the pride of their country as their motivation. I take back what I said last week. Kevin Garnett is among the elite, but he has to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

Most of the All-Stars grew up idolizing Jordan, but did anyone take it easy on him?
No, and he loved it. Shawn Marion played some tight defense on his game winning attempts, while Shaq and Kobe both recorded blocks on two of his drives to the basket. Mariah Carey's halftime tribute was beautiful (in more ways than one). However, watching Jordan smiling and enjoying himself with the best in the game was a moment that will forever be frozen in sports history. Sure, he only made 9 of his 27 shots, but is there anyone else that could make a .333 field goal percentage so spectacular?

That's how the NBA, its fans, and players showed their love for Michael Jordan. He responded by becoming the all-time scoring leader in All-Star history. He even surpassed another great, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In the end, the West defeated the East 155-145 in double overtime with Kevin Garnett receiving MVP honors. The game is in good hands with players who truly love the game like Kobe, T-Mac, and KG. Some of the players who are beyond their prime should take a lesson from Michael and bow out gracefully while they can. I'm looking at you, Karl Malone. [an error occurred while processing this directive]