All-Star 2003 turned out to be one for the ages, with both teams scoring around the 150 mark and the game going into double-overtime for the first time ever.  And if it wasn't for a Jermaine O'Neal foul on a Kobe Bryant three point attempt at the end of the second quarter, it would have been a fitting ending for the greatest player ever Michael Jordan.  

Jordan scored what many were hoping to be the final two points of the game on a rainbow jump shot went through the rafters before falling into the bottom of the net with only 4 seconds remaining, putting the East up by two before Bryant was fouled on a despiration three point attempt after he and O'Neal chased down a loose ball as time was about to expire.

"I thought it was a game-winner, but obviously anything can happen in an NBA game, and that's exactly what happened,'' Jordan said.

The second overtime belonged to Kevin Garnett, who scored the first seven points of the period as the West ran away with the game to win 155-145.  Garnett finished the game with 37 points, 9 rebounds, and the MVP award.

The game had it all, from Vince Carter relingishing his starting job in honor of Jordan to the West running with a lineup featuring seven-footers Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming.  To see a Yao-to-Shaq ally oop was certainly a sight to see!

The night certainly belonged to Jordan however, with the NBA honoring him at half time with a stunning performance by Mariah Carey.  Jordan, receiving yet another long-winded standing ovation before addressing the crowd, said that he is content to walk away and that he leaves the game in good hands, pointing to his All-Star peers.

"I leave the game in good hands,'' Jordan said. "So many great stars rising and playing the game. I have passed on the things that Dr. J and some of the great players -- Magic Johnson, Larry Bird -- have passed on to me, I pass on to these All-Stars here, as well as to the rest of the players in the NBA.

"I want to thank you all for your support. Now I can go home and feel at peace with the game of basketball.''

Allen Iverson arrived at the arena wearing a retro Bulls No. 23 jersey, Yao donned a pair of powder blue low-tops, a tribute to Jordan's alma mater, North Carolina, which clashed garishly with his bright red Western Conference uniform.

Carey wore a Bulls jersey and a Wizards uniform top during a halftime show dedicated to Jordan. Several of the players wore Air Jordan shoes, and all of them stood in a pack to applaud and hug Jordan after he gave his halftime speech.

"I'm somewhat embarrassed because I got a feeling it's going to turn into the Michael Jordan show, which I don't want it to be,'' he said before the game.