Westbrook, the biggest reason the West won 163-158, treated the game like his own personal dunk contest. He compiled a hell of a highlight reel in just the first half, mixing those devastating drives with three consecutive 3s.
Perhaps he even attacked the basket too hard, as a thunderously missed slam early in the game could have helped him make history. Postgame, Westbrook said he wasn't gunning for it at the end of the game, but lamented his "six or seven" missed layups. His teammates were talking about it on the bench, but they weren't force-feeding him the ball.
Aside from Chamberlain and Westbrook, the only other player to reach 40 points in this setting is Michael Jordan, who did it in 1998.
"It's definitely an honor to be grouped with those two guys, especially in an All-Star Game," Westbrook said.
This was Westbrook at his furious best. He mean-mugged after baskets, he threw his arms in the air in disgust after misses. It was everything that people love and hate about him, but the numbers certainly gave his supporters more ammunition.
The general intensity level in MSG was not high for most of the night, but Westbrook can't help himself. He can't coast. Funny, he said earlier this weekend that he wanted to have a relaxing stay in New York.
"I found a way to get my rest during timeouts, halftime and when I was on the bench," Westbrook joked.
In the this would only happen to Russell Westbrook department, a reporter asked LeBron James what advice he would give the four-time All-Star.
"Be Russell Westbrook," James said. "Stop caring about what everybody else thinks. So he don't have to change."
"Just be yourself," he continued. "That's all. That's all that matters. Russell Westbrook is one of the best talents, [most] gifted talents this game has ever seen. He goes out every night and proves that. He shows it. I don't need to tell him anything."
It's quite something that the best player on the planet felt Westbrook needed to be defended, especially on a night like this. These are the terms in which we discuss his breathtaking talent, though, and coming close to Chamberlain doesn't change that.
"He's an unbelievable talent in our league," James said. "His motor, his athleticism, his demeanor about how he approaches the game, it's all great. And it's great for our league. He showed that tonight, showcased it on a big stage."
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