Cooper Lands Trophy in All-Star Game

Michael Cooper was the most valuable player, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hugged him at midcourt. The Lakers of the 1980s? Nope. The Forum? Not a chance.

Cooper had only six points as his South squad beat the North, 182-176, Saturday in the Italian All-Star game, but he also had the cheers of 15,000 fans and a hug from an old teammate on a promotional tour.

J.J. Anderson of the South had 29 points, while Oscar Schmidt and Larry Middleton of the North each had 35.

But Cooper, the former Laker who joined Il Messaggero Roma this season, beat Schmidt in the three-point shooting contest, and was a sentimental choice as MVP.