LOS ANGELES Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was the center of attention at his 18th and final All-Star Game in Toronto on Sunday.

    The NBA made a special point of honoring one of the best players in league history at the Air Canada Center.

    The lengthy tribute began with a video of Kobe’s career highlights, including several buzzer-beaters and prolific scoring nights, following player introductions and the singing of the national anthems. Fellow Lakers great Magic Johnson then took to a microphone to speak about everything Kobe has meant to the franchise and league, after which he introduced a second video tribute noting Bryant’s talents. Finally, Kobe himself spoke about what his career has meant and his role in passing on his legacy to younger All-Stars.

    Bryant finished the West’s 196-173 win with 10 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, a fine showing despite the fact that LeBron James outscored him by three to set a new record for career All-Star points. No matter — Kobe got the greatest gift of all when he was subbed out with 66 seconds remaining in regulation.

    Bryant exited the game to watch Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry wrap things up with 3-pointers.

    Bryant said his All-Star Game goodbye and the next generation of the West’s best sent him off a winner.

    “It was fun,” Bryant said. “I had a blast playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench.”

    The first All-Star Game outside the U.S. was the highest-scoring ever. Bryant didn’t provide much of the offense but many of the memories.

    “To see him now, it’s like the passing of a generation,” West coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s been such an iconic figure for so long, and he passes it on to that other group of young guys that you saw out there tonight.”

    Westbrook scored 31 points in his second straight All-Star MVP performance and Curry added 26 — the final three on a 42-footer. Anthony Davis had 24 on 12-for-13 shooting and Kevin Durant chipped in 23.

    Paul George finished with 41 for the East, tying Westbrook’s total from last year in New York that was one off Wilt Chamberlain’s record. John Wall added 22 points.

    James finished with 13 points, just enough to move ahead of Bryant for most ever in the All-Star Game. James has 291, while Bryant, who is retiring after this season, leaves with 290.

    He checked out with 1:06 left to cheers and hugs from his fellow All-Stars who now put up points in bunches the way Bryant did for so long.

    “We all at one point in our life wanted to be Kobe in our driveways somewhere,” the East’s Dwyane Wade said. “We watched him growing up and we wanted to pay respect to him.”

    (SD-Agencies)