LeBron James wins third career NBA All-Star Game MVP, tying Michael Jordan

LOS ANGELES – The All-Star Game had meaning for LeBron James.

Because of the format change, he picked his squad. He wanted to win. He disagreed with a replay review. He challenged and fouled DeMar DeRozan as DeRozan drove to the basket instead of letting him throw down an uncontested dunk.

Team LeBron defeated Team Stephen 148-145, and James was named All-Star MVP for the third time in his career and for the first time since the 2008 All-Star Game in New Orleans.James – the oldest player in the game at 33 years old and playing in his 14th All-Star Game – came close to a triple-double: 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He scored the winning basket on an assist from former teammate Kyrie Irving on a clever after-timeout play, and he assisted on the Russell Westbrook basket that put his team up 148-145.

“It's always been my fans who voted me in,” James said. “For 14 straight years, my fans have voted me in as an All-Star starter, and it's been up to me to go out and let them know and show them. Listen, I appreciate that and here's what I'm going to give to you every time you vote me in.”

James also won the award in 2006 and 2008, tying him with Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Shaquille O'Neal for second. Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit each won the award four times.

Team LeBron played suffocating defense on the game’s final possession, refusing to let Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson attempt a three-point shot that would’ve tied the game. Team Stephen didn’t get off a potential tying shot before the final horn sounded.

“The great thing about our commissioner (Adam Silver), he's absolutely OK with trying something new, to change the format, and it definitely worked out for everybody,” James said. “It worked out not only for the players, not only for the league, but for our fans, for everybody. It was a great weekend, and we capped it off the right way.”

James, who is the All-Star Game’s all-time leading scorer with 343 points, made 12-of-17 shots, including 4-of-8 on three-pointers.

He also helped lead a comeback with Team LeBron trailing 133-120. James had eight points and two assists in the final 6:57 and his three-pointer with 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter tied the score at 144-144.

Source :- usatoday