Harrison Hill / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kobe wins first All-Star MVP, Philly boos

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 11:20 AM ET

Kobe Bryant famously played basketball in Los Angeles as a member of the Lakers. Despite Hollywood being his hometown for his adult life, Kobe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kobe lived in Philly until he was six.

Fans react to Kobe scoring an easy 58 points

At that time, Kobe’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, who played in the NBA, decided to take his career to Europe.

Kobe lived in Italy for eight years until his father retired. They moved back to Philadel phia, and it was there that Kobe became a high school star.

Kobe attended Lower Merion High School and led his school to their first PIAA state championship since 1943. The young Mamba was a star in Philly, but that didn’t matter much when the 2002 All-Star Game was held in the City of Brotherly Love.

Kobe wins MVP, receives boos

Kobe had been waiting for this moment since 1999, the original date of the All-Star Game being held in Philadelphia. He wanted to put on a show, especially since that ’99 All-Star Game was canceled, due to the NBA Lockout.

Kobe believed he’d receive a warm welcome due to his ties to the city. Yet, that didn’t occur. Kobe was public enemy number one, and it was due to the Lakers defeating the 76ers in the previous NBA Finals.

Kobe put on a show for his home city. He scored a game-high 31 points on 12-25 shooting. Kobe led the West to an easy 135-120 victory.

Kobe was named the All-Star Game MVP after the game. This was Kobe’s first of four All-Star MVP Awards that he’d win in his career.

As Kobe was presented the MVP trophy, the crowd booed as loudly as they could.

Ultimately, the boos upset Kobe, but he took it as motivation to destroy any opponent that stood in his way. This mentality, which we’d later learn was dubbed the Mamba Mentality, helped the Lakers win their third title later that year, via a sweep over the New Jersey Nets.

The NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy today is named the Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award. This is a great honor for a great NBA player, who happens to be tied with Bob Pettit with the most All-Star MVPs.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: