The 1998 NBA All-Star Game is one of the most memorable years in the history of the mid-season classic. It marked the first ASG appearance for the late great Kobe Bryant, and it also turned out to be the final appearance of Michael Jordan in a Chicago Bulls uniform.
Kobe was billed as the next Jordan, and with MJ’s career nearing its end, fans were looking forward to the matchup between the old guard and the young bull. Although His Ainress was battling flu-like symptoms in the days leading to the game, he made sure that he was there to welcome Kobe to the All-Star game.
“I didn’t come out here to win the MVP, actually,” said Jordan via Roland Lazenby’s book Showboat. “I just wanted to make sure Kobe did not dominate me. The hype was me against him. I knew I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent because I’ve been in bed for three days. He was just biting at the bit. I’m glad I was able to fight him off.”
Youngest to start in an All-Star Game
Bryant was in the midst of a breakout season when he was voted as the youngest starter ever in an All-Star game. At 19 years and 170 days old, Kobe broke the previous mark set by Magic Johnson. But the young Mamba wasn’t there to break records. He was there to test himself against the player many refer to as the GOAT of basketball.
Kobe wasted no time, throwing down several dunks that brought the crowd to its feet. Although the young Laker looked like he wanted to take it to the old guard, Jordan did not back down from the challenge.
After three quarters of play, Bryant scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 22 minutes. Meanwhile, Jordan had 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in 24 minutes of playing time. But just as when it looked like a one-on-one duel between the two was brewing, Kobe did not see action the rest of the way as head coach George Karl benched him in the entire 4th quarter.
Bryant was benched in the 4th quarter
Karl did not like Kobe’s attempt to turn the game into his personal agenda against Mike. With Bryant starting to call plays for himself, Karl decided to cancel end his first All-Star game appearance.
Meanwhile, Mike played 8 more minutes in the final quarter, and he finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals for the East. MJ was the game’s top-scorer and ended up winning All-Star MVP honors, something he said he didn’t plan on doing.
While Kobe failed to upend Mike in the 1998 All-Star Game, Bryant went on to make 17 consecutive All-Star Game appearances from 2000 to 2016 and won the All-Star Game MVP a record four times (tied with Bob Pettit). The All-Star Game MVP was named after Kobe after his death in 2020.