Michael Jordan Won 1998 NBA All-Star MVP 19 Years Ago Today

Though the media storyline tried to frame the 1998 NBA All-Star Game as a torch passing from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, Jordan never let go of it. In his final championship run with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan showed up at Madison Square Garden ready to put on a show, even if it meant showing up Bryant and his fellow young gun peers.

MJ scored 23 points to go with six rebounds and eight assists in his Air Jordan 13 Playoffs colorway, leading the East to a 135-114 victory over the West. Jordan’s vintage collection of midrange jumpers, putbacks and maneuvers paced the East, while Bryant’s own repertoire of jumpers, alley-oop dunks and handles put on a show for the West.

Watch some of MJ’s 1998 All-Star MVP highlights below.