2009 NBA All-Star Game

Shaquille O'Neal took the job of All-Star host seriously. And for him that means hardly serious. The All-Star Game is about the NBA's best doing their thing for 48 minutes before a packed house and millions around the world. O'Neal and Kobe Bryant did that, , putting a fitting bow on the evening by sharing MVP honors as their West squad blasted the East, 146-119. Read more
• Peterson: Feels like old times again for Kobe, Shaq
• Schuhmann: The Numbers Game
• McMenamin: All-Star Game's Top 10 moments
• Video: Game recap | Shaq's debut with JabbaWockeeZ | Top 10 plays
• Photos: 58th NBA All-Star Game

Upon learning about his selection as an All-Star Game starter, an appreciative Dwight Howard turned the attention back to his Orlando Magic brethren. "I truly want to thank the fans for voting for me," said Howard, the first player in balloting history to crack 3 million votes. "It's an honor to take part in All-Star Weekend. I hope to share the experience with my teammates as well." Read more
• Final balloting results for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
• Photos: East starters | East reserves | West starters| West reserves
• Peterson: Coaches get it (mostly) right with reserves

NEW ORLEANS -- The Eastern Conference upended the West late in the fourth quarter Sunday night for a 134-128 All-Star Game victory at New Orleans Arena in the heart of "The Big Easy." Pulling out the win in the back-and-forth contest was anything but easy, but according to LeBron James, who was named the 2008 All-Star MVP, the East was determined to salvage its pride after taking a drubbing from the West in 2007. James collected his second MVP trophy in three seasons after racking up 27 points on 12-for-22 shooting, nine assists and eight rebounds.
• Photos: All-Star Game Gallery | MVP Gallery
• The Court Reporters: Final thoughts from New Orleans

LAS VEGAS -- The Western Conference set All-Star records with 69 field goals and 52 assists on its way to an emphatic 153-132 win over the East stars at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday. Kobe Bryant racked up 31 points, five rebounds, six assists and six steals to take home MVP honors. Amare Stoudemire added 29 points and nine boards and Carmelo Anthony had 20 and nine for the West. 2006 All-Star MVP LeBron James led the Eastern Conference with 28 points, six rebounds and six assists and Dwight Howard tallied 20 points and 12 boards.
• Photos: All-Star Game Gallery
• Darren Misener: Kobe's MVP Tale
• John Schuhmann: Nothing Holding Amar'e Back
• Blogs: Tracy McGrady | Gilbert Arenas | Brandon Roy

HOUSTON -- Trailing by 21, the East rode the hot shooting of LeBron James to a 122-120 victory over the West in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game at the Toyota Center in Houston. The 21-year old James, who scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds, became the youngest player to win MVP. With the score tied, Dwyane Wade, who finished with 20 points, hit the game-winning layup with 16 seconds left. Tracy McGrady led the West with a game-high 36 points.
• 55 Cool Things | NBA.com Memories
• NASA-inspired jackets

DENVER, Colo. -- A well-balanced attack led the East to a 125-115 win over the West in Denver in 2005. Allen Iverson garnered MVP honors by scoring 15 points and dishing out 10 assists. Dwyane Wade added 14 points and LeBron James tallied 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds in their debuts.