How to Fix NBA All-Star Weekend
For the diehard NBA fan, All-Star weekend is still a blast. For Thunder fans, the weekend felt like a massive win. The young squad had an MVP candidate starting in the All-Star game and three core players shining in the Rising Stars game.
The Western Conference had an unbelievable array of talent and the Eastern Conference still walked away with an upset win. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver still seemed less than enthused after the game, though, because the product on the court was questionable. The East set a record total for points scored and the two teams combined for nearly 400 points.
At this point, it is what it is. There's no use in complaining about All-Star weekend because it's not going to change drastically and it's not what it used to be. The week, which is supposed to be a break from the rigorous NBA schedule, has turned into press madness, autograph signing, keynote speaking, and just as tiresome as the NBA's 82-game gauntlet. There's no break involved.
For NBA fans, it's easy to call for change. But for NBA players, it's not really the "break" it's claimed to be anymore. So the game itself has turned into a glorified shootaround. And honestly, that's okay. The fans still get to watch an unusual amount of Hall of Famers share the floor together, make ridiculous shots, and have fun. It should be fun.
But for the crowd that's begging for change, here are a few places to start.
Step One: Change the All Star Game itself to after the season is over
This would be a massive change. But like football, it's hard to play a competitive, and meaningless, game in the middle of the season. The Pro Bowl is played before the Super Bowl for a reason. It would be madness to play a random game in the middle of the season.
Of course, the NFL takes a different physical toll than the NBA, but if players aren't as worried about getting hurt before the playoff stretch, intensity might just increase. If there's a cash prize or an incentive in the post-season All Star Game, it gives the players a reason to compete. Then, the season isn't immediately over when you're eliminated from the playoffs. You can still win big in the All Star Game.
Step two: Listen to the players' suggestions
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren had plenty of bright ideas surrounding All Star weekend, and there's certainly other players with power that can contribute to the brainstorm process too.
A 3-on-3 tournament would be a blast, and a 1-on-1 King of the Hill style competition would be even more fun. If these are the signature events outside of the competitions, it gives fans a show and players a week of real rest.
Step three: Give the players an actual break
If it's called an All Star break, it needs to be an actual break. Dial back on the mid-week events for players and everything that comes with the jam-packed weekend. If the first solution stands true, the game is pushed back to the end of the season and the All Star break simply becomes a fun competition weekend, it might be better received.
Having to suit up and play an actual game is much more tiring than messing around at the 3-point contest or showing off a few highlight dunks. Turning the All Star weekend into a competition weekend and playing the game itself after the playoffs would give the players a real break. It also creates another event for the NBA to monetize.
It's not an easy or quick fix, and there are people way smarter than myself making these decisions. But taking player input and figuring out a way to make the weekend a win for everyone would be a good place to start.
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