After missing last year’s NBA All-Star game due to injuries, the 36-year old Shaquille O’Neal stole the show in his return. He started off by telling Craig Sager that his Terry Porter question was very unprofessional, then performed with the Jabberwockees as he was introduced and when he hit the hardwood he looked like his old self, scoring 17 points and recording five rebounds in just 11 minutes.

Much was said about O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson being reunited on the West Squad, but nobody expected this dramatic of a performance. Bryant and O’Neal appeared to kiss and make up as they were named Co-MVP’s of the game. Jackson appeared emotional as he watched the award ceremony from the bench.

“I think it is a great life lesson for people,” said West coach Phil Jackson, who led O’Neal and Bryant to their titles with the Lakers. “This is something that the people work together, people find a way to get through situations, find harmony in their life, find cohabitation.”

Bryant finished with a game-high 27 points and had this to say about O’Neal.

“We are not going to go back to the room and watch ‘Steel Magnolias’ or something like that, you know what I’m saying, crying, all that stuff,” Bryant said. “We had a good time. That’s all.”

When told that they (Bryant and O’Neal) both had joined Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson as three-time All-Star MVP’s, the Diesel referred to himself and Kobe as, “The Big Legendaries”.

It is scary to think what these two could have accomplished if they both would have remained in Los Angeles. Check out Shaq’s dance with the Jabberwockees.