When the dates for an NBA season are announced, one of the first things fans check for is the NBA All-Star Weekend dates.

The weekend is jam-packed with thrilling matches and events, like the three-point shooting competition, which concludes with the All-Star Game. The game will feature an exclusive roster of players, primarily the league’s top 24 players.

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These games are often less rough and more focused on putting on a show for the audience because the players do not risk getting injured and jeopardising their season. However, with the death of the late great Kobe Bryant, the 2020 NBA All-Star Game encapsulated everything Bryant stood for.

Individual All-Star performances by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook have been outstanding over the years. On that point, here are the top five NBA All-Star performances over the last decade:

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Russell Westbrook – NBA All-Star Game 2017

Russell Westbrook‘s performances at the 2017 NBA All-Star Game were among the highlights of his successful career.

Westbrook was not named a starter heading into the weekend, despite being a heavy favourite to win the MVP award after averaging a triple-double this season. Fast forward to the game, and Westbrook put on quite a performance.

He was unstoppable, scoring 41 points, grabbing five rebounds, and giving out seven assists. In just under 20 minutes of action, he shot over 54% from beyond the arc and more than 61% from the field.

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Westbrook took it personally after being passed over for the starting lineup. He went on to earn the MVP award for the Oklahoma City Thunder that season, averaging a triple-double.

Kawhi Leonard – NBA All-Star Game 2020

Kawhi Leonard, the first recipient of the Kobe Bryant MVP award, had the best performance in probably the greatest All-Star Game ever.

The game embodied all the late great Bryant stood for, as it was played with vigour and passion. The stars put on an incredible show, with Team LeBron taking home the victory.

Leonard scored 30 points, grabbed seven rebounds, threw out four assists, and stole two balls. He made more than 61% of his shots from the field and more than 57% of his shots from the perimeter.

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Leonard made eight three-pointers on the night out of 14 tries. He kept his composure as the game came down to the wire and led both sides in scoring.

Anthony Davis – NBA All-Star Game 2017

With his outstanding performance in the 2017 All-Star Game at the age of 23, Anthony Davis took the All-Star Game by storm.

Davis scored 52 points and grabbed ten rebounds, including four offensive rebounds. He accomplished that while shooting better than 66% from the field and not attempting a single shot from range.

Davis had a record-breaking night, as he set the mark for the most points scored by a player in the NBA All-Star Game’s history. Davis was a member of the New Orleans Pelicans at the time and was handed his fourth pick in 2017 when he made the NBA take attention with his performance.

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LeBron James – NBA All-Star Game 2018

Without LeBron James, this list of the finest NBA All-Star performances would be incomplete. He is the best player of his generation and possibly the best of all time.

James delivered an outstanding performance in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. The game’s prior tradition of pitting the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference had been abandoned.

James finished with 29 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. He made more than 70% of his shots from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, plus he had one steal on the night.

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Team LeBron triumphed by three points in a close game, and James was named All-Star Game MVP for the third time in his career.

Kobe Bryant – NBA All-Star Game 2011

Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest players of all time, delivered a thrilling performance at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.

The shooting guard finished with 37 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and three steals while shooting nearly 54% from the field. He went to the line eight times, seven of which he converted.

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This was arguably Kobe Bryant’s final year nearing the top of his game. However, he once again showed the NBA that he could still deliver when it counted. Bryant’s 13th All-Star Game selection; he finished his career with 18 All-Star Game honours.