Reunited, Bryant and O’Neal Are Dynamic At 2009 NBA ALL-STARS GAME (406 hits)
O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, former teammates and rivals with the Los Angeles Lakers, were briefly reunited Sunday evening, leading the West to a 146-119 victory over the East in the N.B.A. All-Star Game.
They laughed and passed, danced and dunked, and emerged as the co-most valuable players. Bryant provided the most points (27), while O’Neal provided the most mirth. Afterward, they embraced and then playfully tugged at the M.V.P. trophy, as if they were old childhood friends and not onetime sparring partners.
It was a nice sentimental journey...
During pregame introductions, O’Neal emerged wearing a white plastic mask — the trademark look of the Jabbawockeez dance troupe — and he danced with them for two minutes before the rest of the West team was introduced.
