Chicago Bulls: 3 times Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan inspired us all

3. 1998 NBA All-Star Weekend

There were a lot of special parts that went into the 1998 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. And one of the biggest and most memorable storylines that surfaced was the matchup between Kobe and Jordan. This would also wind up becoming the most memorable All-Star Game that Kobe and Jordan would both be playing in. They would still play in two other All-Star Games together.

In the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, Kobe would post 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field to go along with six rebounds, one assist, and two steals. That does seem like something Kobe would do to come up with two steals on top of a solid offensive performance in an All-Star Game.

Meanwhile, MJ came up with the only performance that could top Kobe. MJ would win the All-Star Game MVP honors for the final time in his run in a Bulls uniform. He registered 23 points, on 10-of-18 shooting from the field to go along with six rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. MJ stole the MVP honors from Kobe, and the game for the Eastern Conference.

Other significant All-Stars that participated in the game in 1998 included Shawn Kemp, Dikembe Mutombo, Penny Hardaway, Tim Hardaway, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson. This was a more loaded All-Star Game than usual in terms of eventual Hall-of-Famers.