Bad knees and an All-Star game sounded like the perfect situation for Kobe Bryant to take it light and let the new breed of NBA stars run the show at the 2011 NBA All-Star game. But who are we kidding—this is Kobe Bryant we are talking about here.

It was Los Angeles and Kobe Bryant may have played it cool leading up to the game, but from the first moment he touched the ball, it was evident the Black Mamba meant business and had a point to prove. Some question how many years of excellence Kobe Bryant has, but Bryant is still the best player since Michael Jordan…for now.

Obviously, LeBron James is the next in line with his freakish ability, but Kobe Bryant is a killer when it comes to winning. He proved it on Sunday night with a remarkable game that was a reminder why Kobe Bryant is one of the baddest players on the planet. With the home crowed at Staples Center watching, Bryant put on a show to the tune of 37 points and 14 rebounds. But it wasn’t just what he scored, it was how he scored. Jumpers, layups and a few dunks—including a breakaway two-handed smash that LeBron James tried his hardest to chase down—set off fireworks in Los Angeles as the West earned a 148-143 victory over their younger rivals in the East.

It was a virtuoso performance which wagged the finger to all the young lions and said “not yet.” It’s still Kobe Bryant’s time and he’s not ready to turn over the keys to the throne just yet. The 13-time All Star nabbed his 4th MVP trophy to add to a presumably packed trophy case that features MVP awards, NBA titles and various other accolades which set Bryant apart from everyone else in the NBA.

Kobe may be getting older and the mileage may be getting up there, but Kobe Bryant still has the killer instinct all others lack. Not LeBron, not Durant, not Rose—nobody has what Bryant possesses. It’s a gift he’s had since he was young, but now that he’s more mature, he knows how to manage the “win by all means necessary” attitude. It’s something these youngsters haven’t been able to understand just yet and on Sunday night, Bryant proved he’s still the man.

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