Bryant headlines All-Star Game

HOUSTON -- Even when it's only an exhibition, everyone wants to ask Kobe Bryant about point totals.

Bryant won't make any predictions about how many he'll put up tonight in the NBA All-Star game, even though scoring has made him the biggest attraction in the league during the first half of the season.

"I just look forward to going out there and winning the game, playing defense, believe it or not, doing whatever we need to win the game," he said.

The possibilities seem endless. After scoring 81 points in a game this season, imagine how many Bryant can get in a game where there is little defense played.

"I think it's fun to have the discussions about Kobe," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "I think it's a terrific water cooler subject. Can he go for 100? Can he outscore a team by himself?"

The latter seems unlikely, given that the Eastern Conference counters with Allen Iverson and LeBron James, who trail Bryant in an exciting scoring race.