NBA All-Star Game 2020: KIA NBA All-Star Game MVP Award named in honour of Kobe Bryant

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Adam SIlver at theAll-Star Weekend Press Conference

Prior to the Saturday night festivities at the 2020 All-Star Weekend in Chicago, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced in a press conference that the All-Star Game MVP Award has been permanently named in honour of the late Kobe Bryant.

“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game,” said Silver. “He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.” 

MORE: How an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant foreshadowed 18 future All-Star appearances

Bryant's 18 All-Star Games selections are second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 19 and his four All-Star Game MVPs are tied for the most ever with Hall of Famer Bob Petit. He was named an All-Star Game MVP in 2002, 2007, 2009 (Co-MVP with Shaquille O'Neal) and 2011. 

A five-time NBA champion, Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He earned the 2007-08 Kia NBA MVP Award, two Bill Russell Finals MVP awards and 15 All-NBA Team selections. Bryant ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points. 

MORE: Kobe Bryant in ASG - Record, stats, and best moments

Bryant first made his debut at the All-Star Game in 1998 at the age of 19. His 18 consecutive All-Star Game selections from 1998 to 2016 are an NBA record.  

The winner of the 2020 Kia NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award will be determined by NBA Fans (25% of the votes) and a media panel (75% of the votes). 

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