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Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant reunite for Western victory at All-Star.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant lead the Western Conference to a spectacular 146-119 win over the East at the 58th NBA All-Star Game, part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, at the US Airways Center on February 15, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points to lead all scorers, while Shaquille O’Neal had several highlight-reel plays managing to make eight out of nine shots and score 17 points in just 11 minutes of court time. It was the first time the duo have played together since they won three straight NBA Championship titles with the Lakers from 2000-2002.

The 7ft1 veteran O’Neal also grabbed the spotlight before Sunday’s All-Star Game with a Shaqtastic performance with the hip-hop dance group JabbaWockeeZ, who gained fame from appearing on America’s Got Talent.

The 2009 All-Star Weekend kicked off on Friday 13th February with the McDonald’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and T-Mobile Rookie Challenge.

Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks provided the highlight of the All-Star Saturday Night with his dethroning of defending champion Dwight Howard to win the 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk competition. The 5ft9 Robinson leapt over the 7ft Howard, who stood in front of the basket as his rival soared for a dunk that won over the fans whose votes decided the outcome.
2009 NBA All-Star attracted its usual celebrity crowd, including New Jersey Nets part-owner Jay-Z and singer wife Beyonce, actor Eva Longoria supporting All-Star husband Tony Parker, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/