NBA History: 5 greatest All-Star Game performances in the 2010s

The annual NBA All-Star Game has always been one of the highlights of the season, and the scale of the event has continued to grow in recent years.

The addition of captains choosing their teams via a televised draft has been positively received by fans while the 2019 edition also introduced places on the roster for retiring legends.

The 2020 edition will take place on February 16 at United Center in Chicago, and fans are already making their predictions as to which NBA star will produce the best individual performance in Chicago.

So, as the hype continues to build for this season's All-Star Game, here we will take a look at the five greatest performances from the past decade.

#5 Paul George - 2016

Paul George missed out on being named MVP despite scoring 41 points for the East back in the 2016 Game

The Eastern Conference fell to the Western Conference in the 2016 All-Star Game, but Paul George enjoyed a huge night as he erupted for 41 points in the showcase game.

The Indiana Pacers star was making his return to the All-Star Game after playing just six times the previous season due to a serious injury, and he enjoyed a memorable comeback as he finished just one point short of Wilt Chamberlain’s then single-game scoring record of 42 points.

George connected with 16 of his 26 attempts from the field - while also knocking down 9 of his 19 attempts from beyond the arc.

However, due to the East's 173-196 defeat, George missed out on being named MVP as his future Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook was presented with the award after leading the West with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

#4 Blake Griffin - 2014

Blake Griffin missed just four of his 23 shot attempts

During the 2013/14 season, Blake Griffin was at the peak of his basketball powers and he was the standout performer in the 2014 All-Star Game. Despite playing alongside the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Steph Curry, Griffin led the West in scoring with 38 points, as the LA Clippers star missed just four of his 23 attempts from the floor.

Griffin also grabbed 6 rebounds and two steals in his highlight-worthy 32 minutes on the court - although he missed out on the MVP award to Kyrie Irving as the East pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to pick up a 163-155 win.

#3 Russell Westbrook - 2015

Russell Westbrook picked up the first of his back-to-back All-Star MVP Awards in 2015

Russell Westbrook has a history of putting up big numbers in the All-Star Game, and throughout his eight All-Star appearances, Westbrook has been named MVP twice (2015 and 2016). The dynamic point guard was at his best during the 2015 edition of the showcase game as he dropped 41 points at Madison Square Garden.

Westbrook had to come off the bench due to the presence of Steph Curry and James Harden in the West backcourt, but the dynamic point guard was locked in throughout his 25 minutes on the court and finished with 41 points.

27 of his points came in the first half and he finished the game shooting 16-of-28 from the field. Westbrook finished one point shy of the All-Star Game record, although his performance was enough to secure a 163-158 win for the West.

#2 Kobe Bryant - 2011

Kobe Bryant was named MVP for a fourth and final time in 2011

Throughout his incredible career, Kobe Bryant was a regular fixture in the All-Star Game as he made 18 appearances, and the Lakers man was also named All-Star Game MVP on four occasions. His final MVP Award came during the 2011 All-Star Game which was also arguably his best-ever performance in the showcase game.

On his way to leading the West to a thrilling 148-143 win over the East, Bryant scored a game-high 37 points as he managed to outduel LeBron James.

He connected with 14 of his 26 attempts from the field, and he pulled down a game-leading 14 rebounds while also recording three steals. Kobe would go on to make five further All-Star appearances before retiring, although this was his last great performance at the event.

#1 Anthony Davis - 2017

Anthony Davis broke the All-Star Game scoring record in 2017

The West defeated the East in the 2017 All-Star Game, as the two teams combined for a record 374 points. Due to a lack of defense, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis spent much of the game battling it out to surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 42 points, and it was Davis that pulled away in the fourth quarter to set a new record of 52 points.

The New Orleans Pelicans star was dominant throughout, and he reached 44 points with just under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Davis wasn't finished and he went on to record a further eight points as he finished shooting 26/39 from the floor.

Unsurprisingly, the then 23-year-old was named MVP for the first time, and Davis' record will be difficult to break in the years ahead.