Bryant to make final All-Star appearance

Kobe Bryant will make his 18th and final NBA All-Star game appearance on Sunday in Toronto, with the Los Angeles Lakers legend surrounded by a new generation of playmakers he inspired to greatness.      

The 37-year-old Bryant, who last November announced he would retire after this season, was the top vote-getter with 1.9 million ballots from fans worldwide for the annual mid-season showdown between eastern and western conference talent. The east leads the all-time rivalry 37-27.

Bryant has scored a record 280 points in all-star games. Only 19-time all-star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has more appearances in the elite match-up.