I'm really getting tired of hearing about it...several East NBA All-Stars said that Kobe was "gunning" for a second MVP trophy.  To that I only have this to say:

So what?  So what if Kobe wanted to prove on the All-Star stage that he is still the best basketball player on the planet?  So what if he and LeBron went back and forth in the fourth quarter and were bantering back and forth to each other?  Does nobody remember the early 90's all-star games, or the 80's?  I hate comparing MJ to Kobe, but even at the all-star game Jordan wanted to win and prove his worth.  Shame on the players for getting too friendly with one another, and for bickering about Kobe's performance.  Did you have a problem with it?  Why not drive to him going to the hole and drop a little 'bow in his chest, or better yet, say something?  But no, instead tell Marty Burns of si.com, who looks all of 5'10", maybe 165 lbs. 

Who cares if Kobe wanted the trophy.  As my favorite player, it was pure joy for me to watch Kobe play the game the way he did.  That reverse slam towards the end of the game where he blew by everyone?  Icing on the cake.  The east players must have been too concerned about Kobe's performance to realize they were actually playing a game, judging by the closeness of the game; what, a 21-point difference?  Kobe wasn't the only one there to play, the entire Western Conference was there to play.  They were pissed that they'd lost the last 2 games, and wanted to come out to prove a point.  Think Kobe was the one with MVP on his mind?  How about Shawn Marion, who played ridiculously, running all over the court.  How about Amare, who again is wowing me with each game he plays.  29 points?  How about the block KG had on DW3 in the paint, tossing the ball into the stands.  Did you see his face afterwards?  He was there to play...they all were.  Kobe just shined.  Not because he had the MVP on his mind, but because he's the best player in basketball.  Period.