NBA All-Star Game notebook: NBA legend says Russell Westbrook could be one of best ever

“Man, I just love the guy. It's certain guys that I admire. He's one of those guys that is just a flat out talent. He's so fast and so explosive,” Horry said. “I sit around sometimes in the barbershop and listen to these guys talking about ‘Man, Westbrook shoot too much.' I say, ‘Dude, that's what he does. He shoots the ball. Y'all don't complain when all these other guys shoot the ball.'

“They like, ‘Nah, he need to give it to Durant.' Durant the leading scorer in the league. I say ‘He must be giving him the ball sometimes.' But I love the guy. I hope he continues to be successful, because he definitely has the potential to be one of the best point guards ever.”

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

The West team started the second quarter of Sunday's All-Star Game with a lineup that included Westbrook, Durant and James Harden, the first time the trio has shared the court together on the same team since the Thunder's preseason finale on Oct. 24.

The trio scored the West's first nine points of the period, and Westbrook had an assist to Golden State forward David Lee before exiting the game with 7:39 remaining in the quarter.

With 1:17 remaining in the first quarter, Harden and Westbrook hooked up on alley-oop, which Westbrook finished beautifully with a two-handed dunk. As the ball went through the basket, Durant was the only player from either team to rise from the bench. He kicked his leg and did a little shimmy in celebration.

PISTOLS FIRING

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard made a 3-pointer with 8:43 remaining in the third quarter and unleashed a familiar celebration.

As he ran back on defense, in the direction of the Western Conference bench, Howard blew fingers on both his hands before holstering his pretend pistols. Howard then smiled and pointed in the direction of Westbrook, who already had both arms raised as he sat on the bench, either showing his appreciation for Howard paying homage to Westbrook's patented move or wondering what on earth was going on.