On Sunday in Toronto, Kobe Bryant will feature in his final All-Star Game, but the 20-year professional can celebrate something he has never experienced in any of his previous 17 trips to the All-Star Game: His own emoji.
And your NBA All-Stars pic.twitter.com/r6X8KFN0pA — Josh Ober (@ober) February 12, 2016
Anyone who uses the #KobeBryant on Twitter gets a special black snake icon added to their tweet—obvious homage to Bryant's self-given nickname of the "Black Mamba." All 24 of the 2016 All-Stars got the emoji treatment on Twitter, as did the NBA on TNT crew.
Your @NBAonTNT Twitter Emojis! pic.twitter.com/EIl3doCtnD — Josh Ober (@ober) February 12, 2016
Michael Jordan never had an emoji, so Bryant has already one-upped "his Airness" in the number of All-Star emojis category.In more relevant basketball categories, Bryant holds the All-Star Game records for most consecutive selections, most games started, most points and most field goals made. Bryant is also tied for most All-Star Game MVPs with four and most steals with 37, the latter of which is a tie with Jordan.
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Bryant expects to steal the spotlight on Sunday, but the Lakers also have a couple kids going to the All-Star Rising Stars challenge. Rookie D'Angelo Russell and second-year Jordan Clarkson will both take part on Friday night.
Second-year Julius Randle conspicuously did not receive an invitation despite the 21-year-old averaging a double-double in what is effectively his rookie season; Randle broke his leg in his first game as a professional and missed the remainder of his rookie season.
On Saturday night, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk contest prove that the NBA has no trouble finding sponsors for State Farm All-Star Saturday Night. Clarkson will take part in the Skills Challenge, as the speedy point guard will have to go through an obstacle course and hope that his time can beat the competition, which includes the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green and Karl-Anthony Towns.
All-Star Weekend Schedule:
Friday: BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge – 6 p.m. Pacific Time
Saturday: State Farm All-Star Saturday Night – 5 p.m. Pacific Time
Sunday: NBA All-Star Game – 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
