Q. The crowd was chanting "MVP!" for you in that win against the World, and this overall weekend experience for you here in L.A., what has everything been like for you? And then the reaction from the crowd during that game.
KAWHI LEONARD: It's been fun. They always do a great job even during our games of keeping us locked in and giving us energy throughout the whole 48 minutes.
Los Angeles has been great. Did some things with some kids, going around to different communities. Just spending family time and just enjoying the basketball game today.
Q. Kawhi, 31 points, 84 percent from the field. How good is it to reach flow state out here in front of your home fans?
KAWHI LEONARD: It was great. Happy that Adam (Silver) let me in. That's what the home crowd wanted to see. I'm glad I was able to do something in that game.
Q. Kawhi, scoring 31 in a regular game is crazy. Obviously Klay had the 37 in one quarter, but for you to do it against World All-Stars, does that mean anything different to you?
KAWHI LEONARD: No, just having fun out there. Just making shots. Obviously these guys aren't competing at a regular-season schedule game, but it's always fun to go out and compete with those guys and just cherish the court with them. They're all legends, and they're playing great basketball.
Q. Everyone wondered about the format. How do you think it played out, especially with you going for 31 in that game?
KAWHI LEONARD: I think it was good. Didn't really figure it out until we got here. Even as the game's going on, trying to figure out the records for being 2-1 and how you play that out as well. Is it like by points? How many -- point spread or what.
I thought it was good. But I still think going back to East-West will be great. I think guys will compete still.
Q. You mentioned the competition level a couple times. Obviously it's not a regular-season game. I saw you talk to refs a couple times, play through contact. It did feel a little more intense than previous All-Star Games. What can you say about that level?
KAWHI LEONARD: It's been fun. People have been saying the last one that was good was in Chicago. It was competitive. Whatever the fans feel, it's for them. It's for you guys to enjoy and for us to come out and compete and have fun too.
If the format is making us play well, then we could keep going. Just my thought is two teams and play four quarters.
Q. In a game full of stars, today you shined brightest. When you're healthy, are you the best player in the league?
KAWHI LEONARD: That's for you guys. For me, I think it's rotation every day, every week, because you get guys coming out scoring 50, having great defensive games. Then the next night somebody's not playing well, somebody else is going to shine.
For me, I think the ranking is just based on keeping the hype around the game. Yeah, I feel like I'm one of the best when I am playing basketball.
Q. Ant talked about how Wemby set the tone in the first game. Coming into here, was that something you wanted to do, set the tone just play aggressive or go along with the flow of the game?
KAWHI LEONARD: When I come in to play basketball, I've got one way. Obviously nobody is trying to get hurt. I'm going to try to attack, try to get some shots up. I don't like people just scoring on me. Don't want to get crossed over like that.
I approach the game as defense first and then see what offense comes.
Q. For you, this game, obviously you guys are representing your home court and you're a local guy. Did you have an extra sense of motivation or maybe want to make memories for the kids and people who are in attendance and everybody else who are coming to see you and the Clippers?
KAWHI LEONARD: Yeah, I grew up coming up here watching -- going to the Convention Center, seeing stars walk around and dreaming of being here. I want to take the opportunity to play great and take advantage of it and go out there and ball.
I was happy I was able to do that this year in L.A. and also in the Intuit Dome.
Q. With the different change in how they did the All-Star Game this year, do you see a difference in playing against guys like Wemby and Avdija? Do you see these international players compared to American players? Do you see any difference in that, how you defend against them, how you play against them on the court?
KAWHI LEONARD: That's why basketball is so great. Everybody has a different shot, a different play style. They make it work. They're making great plays, and the game is great. This is why we've got fans. They draw different people's attention and favorite players.
There is a difference, but it's basketball to me. Everybody can either shoot, dribble or pass. It just depends on body movement and how well they play.
Q. Obviously a different format this year, shorter game this year. Did that impact your prep heading into this one at all or how you established a rhythm?
KAWHI LEONARD: A little bit. Just different from you're playing 12 minutes and then you rest, I guess, 15, 20 minutes. Then go to the next game, different opponent. It is a difference, but it's just like playing pickup basketball.
So really if the team wins, you stay on for the most part. It was fun, though. I enjoyed it.
Q. With all the conversation that was coming into this game about the All-Star not being competitive, I'm just curious about the locker room mindset. What were you and the fellas talking about pregame as you went out onto the court?
KAWHI LEONARD: Nothing. We didn't really mention not playing hard or let's make this competitive. I didn't hear anything. We just went out there and competed. We wanted to win a game.
We got competitors out there. You see the team we got. We got some championship pedigree. It's hard to turn off that switch when you're out there playing.
Q. Would you like this format to stay for a bit since you give the fans what they want and it was entertaining?
KAWHI LEONARD: Whatever you guys want. Like, man, same question. But it's like whatever grabs the attention of the consumer, I'm for it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports