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LeBron James: What 2011 NBA All-Star Game Told Us About The King and The Mamba - Bleacherreport.com

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LeBron James Had a Fruitful All-Star Game But Was Again Bested By Kobe Bryant

For some, the torch was passed a long time ago. For others, it will never be transferred. I am here to tell you that Kobe Bryant is still the best in the game, and the 2011 NBA All-Star game is all you have to look at for proof.

The NBA is not always adept at creating the best rivalry match-ups. They sort of just happen of their own volition. So when a marquee head-to-head is presented, it must be savored. Such is this year's iteration of the NBA midseason classic.

LeBron James showed that he actually cared about the game. It is a welcomed sight for me. The one knock the James always had was the absence of a killer instinct.

That may have been remedied to some degree. I still have issue with James being overly unselfish, even in a playground exhibition such as Sunday's contest.

Late in the game, you could tell that both teams said goodbye to having fun. Both teams wanted the win. That is when the East made a late surge. On one play in particular, James had a wide-open three point shot that he chose to pass up and give to another player behind the three-point line. That player was low-post guru Chris Bosh.

Yes, the King himself passed off to Bosh in a key moment. You can forget the argument that his was a meaningless game. At the time, both teams were playing like this was a game seven with all the marbles on the line.

Aside from that, James had a nearly flawless game. I think the majority of pundits too quickly vilify James for his off the court exploits. He is one of the best in the game, period.

But Sunday showed us one glaring truth. The reign of Kobe Bryant is not yet over. His time as the elite player in the Association still has some time left yet.

No other player would have put forth such an effort. That is what makes Bryant the greatest. He wants to win every game, no matter the stage. That is why he wins, and that is why he remains on top of the heap.

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