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@clarkem
I would take all of those including Russ and Rose, with the exception of DWill over Melo for certain. He is a top 10 player, but at the very bottom of the top 10 for me.

@DJ R7
All players (even great ones) have off games. I was afraid that might happen to KD in this game. Which wouldn't be the end of the world (it's just an exhibition), but... it wouldn't have helped Kevin's confidence any if he had had a turkey of a showing tonight.

As it is, he starting getting into the groove and ended up with a very nice performance. Thank goodness.

innocent bystander :
I’m so glad the second half went the way it did for Kevin. He was really struggling with his shot in the first half. But it really started to fall in the second.
Now he can leave the All-Star game feeling good about his performance and be ready to start up the next game (and the remainder of the season) with a confidence boost.

He better be, Kobe saying he will be one of the most Complete scorers, and Kenny Smith, and Barkley saying he was one of the 3 most talented players on that court would boost anyone's confidence. Maybe even more knowing Kobe let Him take over late. I MEAN KOBE LET HIM TAKE OVER> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME KOBE LET ANYONE TAKE OVER. ESPECIALLY WHEN HES HOT??

I'm so glad the second half went the way it did for Kevin. He was really struggling with his shot in the first half. But it really started to fall in the second.

Now he can leave the All-Star game feeling good about his performance and be ready to start up the next game (and the remainder of the season) with a confidence boost.

KD will get the MVP, and may even break the all time scoring record in All Star Game too next year...

All-Star not All-Stare, actually (oops)

Russell also did very well

He came out on fire, but cooled off a bit later.

Still, he played very aggressively and with a lot of heart. Made the most of the 14 games minutes he played with 12 points on 6-12 attempts with 2 assists and 5 rebounds.

A very nice first All-Stare game for Russ. I'm sure a lot of people took notice. It's hard NOT to notice when Russ is on the court!

Kenny smith saying Kobe, Lebron, and KD are the most talented players on that court, and Barkley acknowledge that.

good game by Kevin

he started slow and was missing treys right and left

but he picked it up later and starting hitting shots and getting into the groove

and he was pretty clutch at the end, so...

congrats KD for a good game (and a near-MVP)

The Melo vs Durant debate is interesting, only because they're two very different players. Durant is finesse, Melo is much more physical. I haven't seen too many SFs that can back down a defender as easily and comfortably as melo. I'd still never take melo over durant, simply because Durant is a LEADER. The type of leader who is willing to invest his own time and effort to make teammates and the team better. Never heard of such a thing from Melo or seen it in his play. Considering Durants metrics are better, Durant wins.

@Mark!

I think Carmelo also handles the ball better than KD. KD's still kind of awkward with the dribble.

KD would do well to get catches as close to the rim that Melo gets. Melo routinely gets set up 18-20 feet from the rim. KD will get the ball behind the 3PT line.

Melo ended up with 8 points -- the last time I had looked he only had 2 (don't remember when he snuck those last six points in there)

@Mark!

That is to say: I agree but I don't think Carmelo's main advantage will be long-lived.

@justin

I dunno... Carmelo is better on the block, but I have a lot of confidence that KD will develop that part of his game.

vastly overrated. I'll take Kevin Kobe Lebron Wade Chris Paul DWill Dirk Dwight Howard over him guaranteed. Most likely I'd take Russ and Drose and maybe even griffin over him.

@andrew

I agree. Anyway, Durant's off the ball scoring has advantages over Carmelo's one on one style.

justin :
Carmelo is a more versatile one on one scorer than Durant, I would say.

Melo is a great scorer, but on the whole I don't even think he is a top 10 player...

LOL the people who would say KD isn't clutch. Had it none been for KD the West would have lost.

KD your MVP in my eyes!

you gotta love how the arena was playing the ending score from Rocky during the timeout before the East's big play -- how corny!

but Ray Allen hit the three, so.. big drama after all

If Kevin had just hit that last 3, he would be MVP.

Maybe next year KD, you and Russ kill it.

innocent bystander :
KD gets 34 — and still won’t be MVP

if he had made that 3 he would have been tied up with Kobe

Carmelo is a more versatile one on one scorer than Durant, I would say.

KD gets 34 -- and still won't be MVP
:(

clarkem :
Has melo even played

Barkley assures us Carmelo is a better pure scorer than KD. If true, you couldn't tell it from watching this game.

fiddlesticks!

i wonder what Kobe was saying to KD right now

that would have been sweet KD, oh well...

gosh darnit!

Has melo even played

Take overrrrr

This All Star game has been really fun to watch. Exceeded my expectations.

Dang, wish Kevin Durant was on my team...oh, wait, he is. Good times.

KD making up for that 3 pt contest.

KD sends the Staples Center into a mini-frenzy, sorta.

Man could Kobe giving Durant the ball in both possesion be passing the Torch?

yes! KD with 32 points!!!

3 FOR KD!!! KD TAKING OVER LATE!!!

KD to 29 points!

@andrew

Regardless of how you feel about Green, Green does not play big. He'll play athletic on occasion, but he doesn't play big.

KD!

wow lebrons passionate plea to his teammates :puke

I gues the East doesn't suck so bad after all

Mark! :

justin :
Watching Westbrook work off a Pau Gasol screen makes me sad.

Westbrook looked amazing working off of Odom this summer, much less Pau right now. Any competent big man with hands and feet not made of stone will suffice.

Jeff Green doesnt qualify? :)

Thomas :

clarkem :Lebron needs to chill. Who gets angry in an All star game

Oh, Lebron James is a bit of an jerk.Hope that clears that up.

*giggle*

cmon, KD make it to 30 points please!

clarkem :
Lebron needs to chill. Who gets angry in an All star game

Oh, Lebron James is a bit of an jerk.
Hope that clears that up.

justin :
Watching Westbrook work off a Pau Gasol screen makes me sad.

Westbrook looked amazing working off of Odom this summer, much less Pau right now. Any competent big man with hands and feet not made of stone will suffice.

game getting tight