When we saw Kobe and Shaq at the podium, getting ready to co-hoist the All-Star game MVP trophy, we immediately went to view this video, mostly because it seems more real than the contrived smiles and handshakes in David Stern’s shadow last night.

Blotting on the weekend …

- Kevin Durant went for 46 points in the rookie game, and then won HORSE (which lacked original shots). If he gets Blake Griffin in the draft, pencil the Thunder in the 2011 playoffs.

- Big fan of Chris Webber, and he did an admirable job filling in for Barkley, but the TNT coverage had a massive hole without Sir Charles. Kenny Smith’s geeky, gawking nature about the players is comical.

- Chris Paul nearly had a triple-double: 14 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds in 29 minutes, which makes him more efficient than Kobe (27 points on 23 shots in 29 minutes), but less efficient than Shaq (17 points on nine shots in 10 minutes). Might as well have awarded three MVPs.

- Craziest trade rumor we read: Tyson Chandler to Oklahoma City in exchange for the expiring contracts of Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, plus a 1st-round pick at some point. The Thunder thinking defense? TNT should make a move to free up some TV slots for these young kids next year, especially if David Stern can rig the lottery to get them Griffin.

- Unimpressive dunk contest, though we thought the Rudy Fernandez dunk off the back of the backboard might have been the most impressive. He caught it about a foot behind the backboard, with one hand, and brought it around for the dunk. Guess: LeBron will re-think his decision to enter in 2010 and back-out.

- Rich get richer? Surely Brandon Roy would be thrilled if the Blazers somehow land Richard Jefferson for LaFrentz and Outlaw. We’ve always liked Outlaw’s game, but Jefferson’s a much more polished player who would probably come in more handy in the payoffs against Kobe, and might take some pressure off B Roy.