A sizzling dialogue matter across the NBA over the previous few years has been the general product of the all-star recreation. Up to now, the competitors degree within the all-star recreation has come into query. Particularly, on protection. The all-star recreation has become a glorified three-point and dunk contest. Not what followers need to see.
Forward of Sport 3 within the 2024 NBA Finals final night time, the NBA Commissioner sat down with the NBA Countdown desk. Silver was requested if any adjustments could possibly be made to enhance the all-star recreation. Reluctantly, the Commissioner famous that gamers don’t have any actual incentive to play at a excessive degree of competitors. Has the NBA given up on making an attempt to make the all-star recreation aggressive once more?
What can the NBA do to extend the extent of competitors within the annual all-star recreation?
“We could also be simply previous the purpose the place guys and groups are incentivized to play a aggressive All-Star recreation in the midst of the season.”
– Adam Silver on the All-Star recreation
(h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 13, 2024
ESPN’s Michael Wilbon requested Commissioner Adam Silver about the potential for a US vs. Worldwide all-star recreation. He supplied this concept as a method to deliver a brand new degree of competitors. Whereas Silver listened to the thought, he responded saying that the league could also be previous the purpose of constructing the all-star recreation aggressive once more. Silver famous that it’s arduous to get gamers to provide 100% effort in a recreation that has no actual incentives or that means. Moreover, gamers don’t need to danger getting injured in an all-star recreation.
In 2024, the all-star recreation was out of hand. The league returned to the East vs. West format this season. With no protection being performed within the all-star recreation, the East gained by 25 factors and scored 211 complete. That’s merely not a practical rating for a basketball recreation regardless of how proficient the gamers are. Earlier than this yr’s all-star recreation, NBA legends like Larry Fowl went into the locker rooms and mentioned the extent of competitors. Regardless of the speech from Fowl, the all-star recreation was an offensive showcase. Hardly any protection was performed.
Michael Wilbon asks Adam Silver, “What are you able to do to repair the (NBA) All-Star Sport?” 🏀 pic.twitter.com/yTLJtzpN4b
— Terrible Saying (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2024
Probably the most thrilling a part of this yr’s all-star weekend was the three-point shootout between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu from the New York Liberty. Their shootout was a refreshing twist on all-star weekend, In comparison with the product they’ve been placing out of the final a number of years. Is there something the NBA can do to save lots of the all-star recreation? Certainly Adam Silver and his colleagues will sort out that problem this offseason.
