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Kobe unconcerned with final All-Star performance: 'I've had storybook endings'

Peter Llewellyn / USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant's fellow NBA All-Stars have been fawning over him in the lead-up to the final midseason showcase of his 20-year career, but while he appreciates the reverence from his peers, Bryant doesn't appear to be as concerned as they are with making sure his All-Star story has a happy ending.

Bryant told reporters that Western Conference teammate and reigning league MVP Steph Curry vowed to set him up as often as possible in Sunday's game.

"I said, 'Don't. What are you doing, you're a shooter. You grew up watching me. What the hell are you talking about you're going to pass the ball in the All-Star Game?'" Bryant said Saturday, according to The Vertical's Michael Lee. "What storybook ending? I've had storybook endings."

Some believe how you finish is more important than how you start, but given all Bryant's accomplished, it's doubtful the hobbled, diminished, 37-year-old version of him is the one that'll linger in fans' memories. Even though his final season is shaping up to be both his personal worst and the worst in Los Angeles Lakers history, the four-time All-Star Game MVP, two-time Finals MVP, onetime league MVP, five-time champion, and now 18-time All-Star has indeed had a career worthy of a storybook.

For Bryant, who was voted into the last two All-Star games but had to skip both due to injury, just being able to suit up and participate in the weekend festivities is enough.

"I'm looking around the room and seeing guys that I'm playing with that are tearing the league up that were like four during my first All-Star Game," he said. "It's true. I mean, how many players can say they've played 20 years and actually have seen the game go through three, four generations, you know what I mean? It's not sad at all. I mean, I'm really happy and honored to be here and see this."

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