After all of the negative stories surrounding the lack of big names in the Slam Dunk Contest and how horrible the NBA has been with its packed schedule post-lockout, fans tuned in to watch the festivities in Orlando. Not even the Academy Awards could keep hoops fans from seeing Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in action at the Amway Center. In an exciting conclusion to Sunday’s coverage, the West All-Stars, led by Oklahoma City Thunder forward and All-Star MVP Kevin Durant edged the East, 152-149. During one of the busiest and most-watched nights on television, TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game delivered an overall 5.4 US household rating in metered market overnights. The metered market rating is the second highest-rated overnight since 2005 (5.9 metered market rating). Houston Rockets All-Star Chase Budinger talks gaming in this exclusive video interview below.

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, the 2010-11 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, and LeBron James of the Miami Heat, winner of the two previous MVP awards, highlight the 2010-11 All-NBA First Team. James was the lone unanimous choice, receiving all 119 first-place votes. Joining James and Rose on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. James talks about his gaming off the court in this exclusive video interview.

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant made sure nobody else stole the show on his turf in Tinseltown as Bryant scored 37 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as he led the West All-Stars to a 148-143 victory over the East All-Stars in front of a full house at Staples Center in LA. Bryant's performance earned him a record-tying fourth NBA All-Star MVP award after a one year absence when he sat out last year's All-Star festivities in Dallas with an injury.

LOS ANGELES, California -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, was this year’s leading vote-getter for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. The reigning world champion and NBA Finals MVP earned 2,380,016 of the fan votes. He is joined in the Western Conference starting five by New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul (1,281,591), the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (1,736,728), making his first All-Star Game start, and the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony (1,299,849). Bryant ventured to Sony’s PlayStation Players Lounge next to Staples Center to check out the newest PlayStation 3 video games. In addition to starring in the Black Ops commercial for Activision, he also plays the game. He talks about his love of Call of Duty in this exclusive video interview.

EA Sports is using the NBA Draft to showcase its newest basketball game. Electronic Arts has signed Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant as the cover athlete for NBA ELITE 11. A 2010 NBA All-Star, Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring this past season, and he helped lead the Thunder to an impressive 50 win season and an NBA Playoffs berth. NBA ELITE 11 is currently in development under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. and will be available worldwide this October.