West forward Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, tries to go over the East’s Dwight Howard, of the Orlando Magic, for a dunk. Durant had 36 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals to win MVP. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Kobe Bryant took down Michael Jordan. Kevin Durant took aim at Wilt Chamberlain.
Dwight Howard launched 3-pointers in what could be his de facto swan song in Orlando. LeBron James led a furious comeback.
Watching all the storylines unfold in the West’s 152-149 victory in the NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on Sunday, more fan than participant, was Spurs point guard Tony Parker.
“I was just happy to be a part of it,” Parker said.
Make no mistake. Parker is a star in his own right, his berth in Sunday’s game earned by the sweat of carrying the injury-plagued Spurs to the Western Conference’s second-best record.
He’s got a little Hollywood in him, too, more at home in the eye of Saturday’s celebrity-driven, rock-star spectacle than, say, Tim Duncan ever could be.
But somewhere amid the circus, between Russell Westbrook bouncing alley-oops to himself off the backboard and Howard firing away from 3-point range, Parker began to feel the pull of Gregg Popovich.
He was ready to come home.
“I had a great time,” Parker said. “But I’m ready to go home and get some rest.”
Durant, the Oklahoma City star and NBA’s two-time defending scoring leader, pumped in 36 points to earn Most Valuable Player honors. He briefly flirted with the All-Star Game’s 50-year-old scoring record — 42 points set by Chamberlain in 1962.
Bryant, meanwhile, did rewrite the record book. His 27 points pushed him past Jordan as the All-Star Game’s all-time leading scorer with 271 in 14 appearances. Jordan had 262 in 13 games.
Parker, an amateur NBA historian who grew up a fan of Jordan, was among the impressed.
“That’s got to be an amazing feeling for him, because Michael Jordan is one of the best in the history of the game,” Parker said.
Looming over the entire weekend was the question of Howard, the towering center who has requested a trade from Orlando. The home crowd cheered him before the game, when he took the mic and welcomed the audience to a city he designs to leave.
Throughout the weekend, Howard has declined to answer questions about his future — “If it’s not about All-Star Weekend, I don’t want to talk about it,” he said — and stuck to that script after Sunday’s game.
If it was a farewell party of sorts for Howard, it was a bizarre one. He scored a pedestrian nine points to go with 10 rebounds and jacked up four unsuccessful 3-pointers.
Instead, it was James and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade who led the East back from a 21-point deficit. James ended with 36 points, while Wade notched 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the third triple-double in All-Star history. James had one last year.
After Deron Williams missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer in the waning moments, James wound up with the ball after the rebound but promptly turned it over to Blake Griffin, ending the East’s best shot at victory.
“I can’t turn the ball over like that,” James said. “I let my team down.”
Making his fourth All-Star appearance, Parker was just delighted to be in the building for it all. He played 12 minutes, a number that surely made Popovich happy, scoring six points with four assists.
When the night was over, the requisite postgame interviews completed, Parker left the Amway Center for a plane waiting at the Orlando airport. All-Star Weekend was over. It is time to get back to work. Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls loom Wednesday.
Asked if he would have liked a greater chance to be a bigger star in a room full of them, Parker laughed.
“I’m good,” he said. “We’ve got a big game against D-Rose on Wednesday, so I’m good.”
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
1 of 54 | Share
2012 NBA All-Star Game
Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and the Western Conference looks on during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. He had six points, four assists and two rebounds in 12 minutes. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Western Conference’s Steve Nash, of the Phoenix Suns, warms up before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, warms up for the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Steve Nash, right, of the Phoenix Suns, and Dirk Nowitzki, of the Dallas Mavericks, warm up forthe NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Andrew Bynum, of the Los Angeles Lakers, warms up before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Russell Westbrook, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, warms up for the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Dirk Nowitzki, of the Dallas Mavericks, warms up before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Derrick Rose, of the Chicago Bulls, warms up before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Rajon Rondo, of the Boston Celtics, right, speaks with filmmaker Spike Lee, left, in front of the Rev. Jesse Jackson before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
The Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to Eastern Conference’s Deron Williams, of the New Jersey Nets, before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Andre Iguodala, of the Philadelphia 76ers, warms up for the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, right, speaks to filmmaker Spike Lee before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Rapper Flo Rida performs before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, left, and Dirk Nowitzki, of the Dallas Mavericks, warm up before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Singer Nicki Minaj performs before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Singer Mary J. Blige performs the national anthem before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Mary J. Blige sings the U.S. national anthem before the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, blocks a shot by Western Conference’s Andrew Bynum (17), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, pressures Western Conference’s Kevin Durant (35), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Blake Griffin (32), of the Los Angeles Clippers, dunks the ball during the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, and Western Conference’s Andrew Bynum (17), of the Los Angeles Lakers, reach for the opening tip at the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
The Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Stars play during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Western Conference’s Blake Griffin (32), of the Los Angeles Clippers, dunks the ball during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Western Conference attempts a dunk against Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and the Eastern Conference during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
Rapper Lil Wayne watches the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Blake Griffin (32), of the Los Angeles Clippers, dunks the ball past Eastern Conference’s Derrick Rose (1), of the Chicago Bulls, Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, and Western Conference’s Andrew Bynum (17), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Ronald Martinez, Pool) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant (35), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, dunks over Eastern Conference’s Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Singer Nicki Minaj, left, greets rapper Lil Wayne during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson waves as he is introduced before the start of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, pressures Western Conference’s Kevin Durant (35), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Love (42), of the Minnesota Timberwolves, dunks on Eastern Conference’s Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, shoots against Western Conference’s Russell Westbrook (0), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Ronald Martinez, Pool) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, shoots against Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, shoots during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Rapper Pitbull performs during the halftime show of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Rapper Pitbull performs during the halftime show of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Rapper Pitbull performs during the halftime show of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Western Conference’s Russell Westbrook (0), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, elevates for a dunk past Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, Carmelo Anthony (7), of the New York Knicks, Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, and Western Conference’s Chris Paul (3), of the Los Angeles Clippers, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser, Pool) (AP)
Western Conference’s Russell Westbrook (0), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, goes for a dunk past Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, and Carmelo Anthony (7), of the New York Knicks, during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Ronald Martinez, Pool) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, shoots a layup past Western Conference’s Dirk Nowitzki (41), of the Dallas Mavericks, during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, dunks the ball during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, looks to pass as Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, defends during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, defends Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Dirk Nowitzki (41), of the Dallas Mavericks, acknowledges filmmaker Spike Lee during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, reacts during the closing seconds of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Blake Griffin (32), of the Los Angeles Clippers, jumps to block a pass by Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, during the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, and Dwyane Wade (3), of the Miami Heat, talk at midcourt during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, laughs with Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the fourth quarter of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant, left, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, passes the ball around Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, in the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Eastern Conference’s LeBron James (6), of the Miami Heat, right, drives around Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant (24), of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the fourth quarter of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Commissioner David Stern presents the Most Valuable Player trophy to Western Conference’s Kevin Durant (35), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, after the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy following the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy following the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Western Conference’s Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy following the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
