The first reason is the simplest one, the NBA All-Star game is an exhibition, it isn’t like MLB where it determines home field in the playoffs (that is stupid stipulation by the way, it is totally unfair the team with better record might have to play a 7th game on the road).
The second reason is the fans are showing you regardless of how they felt about Kobe during his career, they know the NBA is never going to be the same without him. They are showing much love and appreciation in every city he plays in, so that should extend to the All-Star game.
The third reason is he dropped 81 on the Raptors and the All-Star Game is in Toronto, we can never have enough conversation and highlights about Kobe dropping T.O.
Adam Silver was asked his thoughts and here is what he had to say.
“I hope to see him there,” SAID COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER ON SIRIUS XM NBA RADIO ON THURSDAY. “I think he deserves to be there.”
“He’s going to retire as one of the NBA’s greatest players,” said Silver of Bryant, who recently announced he’ll retire in April. “We’ll see what the fans and the coaches decide, and then we’ll go from there.”
Kobe statistically is one of the worst players in the NBA, but who cares he is Kobe Bryant. It isn’t like the NBA has never put someone not deserving in the All-Star game before.
If the fans vote him in, he should go, if they don’t the coaches should save a roster spot for him. He should play as many minutes as he can in the game, because it is the last one we will ever see him in.