The 2003 All-Star Game Clash Between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan: An Unforgettable Showdown

As Kobe Bryant prepares to make his final All-Star appearance on Sunday in Toronto, it seems appropriate to reflect on Michael Jordan’s All-Star departure, which a Kobe Bryant of a much younger age, in retrospect, somewhat marred.

The game was deadlocked at the conclusion of overtime; Jordan’s East All-Stars had the ball; and Jordan, of course, made the winning shot. Obviously, Jordan, age 39, completed the goal with five seconds remaining.

A revisit to the SI Vault with Jack McCallum (Going out in Style, February 2003) will provide a play-by-play account of the final moments Jordan spent on the court with the Wizards at the time.

On defense, it is Jerry Stackhouse, a gifted teammate rather than Jordan, who frequently attracts the more formidable large guard or small forward assignments; this is arguably the clearest indication of the king’s advanced age. However, the majority of basketball observers continue to perceive Jordan as Jordan, and any criticism of his performance would be egregious nitpicking. It is worth noting that his introduction to the All-Star Game in Atlanta on Sunday was anything but spectacular. A group of apprehensive cafeteria workers feeding him from the Eastern Conference, he appeared anxious and missed his first seven shots. It appeared that Jordan’s final appearance in the All-Star game would be his worst.

However, he eventually discovered his cadence, and before you knew it, he was in possession of the ball with the game in his hands. In the final five seconds of overtime, Shawn Marion was all over Jordan but he narrowly prevented the 6’7″ defender from entering. Instead, Marion rocked back and executed an exquisitely rotated rainbow fallaway jumper from the right corner. This miss had the potential to seal the game for the Eastern Conference and award Michael Jordan with the MVP trophy.

Following that, Kobe entered the scene.

On the contrary, a contentious infraction call on the opposing end allowed Kobe Bryant, who was adorned in a pair of Air Jordans, to extend the game into a second overtime period. In the end, the West prevailed 155-145. “The script was written,” Jordan’s East teammate Jason Kidd stated. Michael, as usual, contributed his part.

A final tally of 20 points for Jordan on 9-27 shooting. 22 points for Bryant on 8–17. For the record book, Kevin Garnett was named MVP for the day with 37 points and nine rebounds. Commence reliving the concluding sequence with Jordan’s strike below.

Given Kobe’s current hot streak, it is uncertain how the 37-year-old Lakers legend will continue to perform.

His career to date suggests that he may very well follow in the footsteps of Michael Jackson.