"The players of today's game aren't uplifting the game"

[jgod213]

Happy friday, y'all...

I've been watching ESPN First take this morning, and Stephen A./Skip Bayless have been talking about how "the players of today's game aren't uplifting the game the way the players of old used to."

To be more specific, they are referencing the all-star game/weekend.  They named Jordan/Dr. J/Vince Carter as superstar players who made a point to attend dunk contests and Bird's iconic 'finger in the air' after nailing a money-ball in the 3-pt shootout.

Both men noted how Lebron has never entered a dunk contest in 9 seasons, and how the all-star game isn't interesting until the 4th quarter as well.

Seemed like some good discussion points.  is Lebron doing a disservice to the league by not doing his part to "uplift the game" in these events? Do we need drastic changes to get a meaningful all-star game again?  With the way the NBA/NFL all-star games are trending, it seems like players just don't care about the product they deliver to fans as much as they used to.

[indeedproceed]

If I'm an NBA player in a condensed season, I'd rather be on teh beach resting my weary bones.

[PosImpos]

If I'm an NBA player in a condensed season, I'd rather be on teh beach resting my weary bones.

Yeah.  We already ask these guys to play an unreasonable number of games in a short time period (even in a regularly scheduled season).

The dunk contest is a sham, anyway, and the 3 point shootout is more likely to be won by a role player who literally does nothing but shoot 3s (e.g. James Jones) than an actual star.

[slamtheking]

have to admit, I don't really care about all-star weekend. 

dunk contest hasn't been relevant since Dee Brown won it. 

3-pt contest is 'nice'.  No real stars in it but it's ok to watch to see how they do.

the all-star game itself and the other variations they've used (old-timer, celebrity, rookie vs 2nd year) are blah.  I haven't found them exciting since the 80's when it was basically a Bird vs Magic showcase with other really great players.  I just see the players of the 90's through today as lesser quality overall and less enjoyable to watch. 

[jgod213]

Doesn't it also seem like today's players are more "buddy-buddy" with eachother as well? 

Just seems like the all-star weekends of old were used by players to make statements. 

I understand the condensed season arguement but the whole all-star weekend in general has been trending in this direction for a while now.

[nickagneta]

Its All-Star weekend.....who cares? I don't thin I've watched an All-Star game in any sport since the early 80's. I just doesn't matter.

[CelticG1]

I definitely think guys feel like they are entitled.

Guys like kobe and kg are always into

Guys like lebron and howard are trying to make more friends and get on camera.

[Eja117]

I'd say players definitely look at the game far more from a business perspective than ever before. Players today think of things that didn't even exist just a little while ago. International image, social media, etc etc.

As a result players look way more long term.

They remind me of the supermodels that used to say "I don't roll out of bed for less than 10K"

[Donoghus]

All Star Weekend could certainly use a jumpstart.

It's boring as heck these days.

[Eja117]

All Star Weekend could certainly use a jumpstart.

It's boring as heck these days.

Yeah, but its been boring since way before these guys. One of the first signs something was majorly wrong was when very very undeserving players got in based on votes

[Celtics18]

If the best dunkers in the game aren't going to enter, they shouldn't have it.  It's become a joke.  I just looked up who this year's contestants are, and I already forgot.

[bostonpatriot]

There were always role-players in the dunk contest even in the 80s. Jerome Kersey, Terence Stansbury, Gerald Wilkins... those I remember off the top of my head, but there were certainly more. Superstars were more willing to participate, but that's because it was a novelty with much higher public interest. Maybe they should stop doing it for a few years than bring it back - I bet some superstars would be more willing to participate.

As for the game, it was always an exhibition game and played as such for as long as I recall it.

[celtic -_- pride]

Doesn't it also seem like today's players are more "buddy-buddy" with eachother as well? 

Just seems like the all-star weekends of old were used by players to make statements. 

I understand the condensed season arguement but the whole all-star weekend in general has been trending in this direction for a while now.

i completely agree. the games of ole' i feel were to send a message to the league that im the best. bird and magic thrived off trying to beat each other and you just dont see that anymore. Guys are going out and trying to show that they dominate. the business side of basketball especially after this lockout is ruining the game

[guava_wrench]

I don't think any conclusions can be made based on the dunk contest. It is just too hard to come up with anything fresh without silly props. It is especially problematic for guys with any height. At least smaller guys have the side-show factor.

[chambers]

Yeah it's a good debate topic.
For the casual fans it's awesome, particularly the younger kids who look up to these guys.
It is ridiculous that Lebron hasn't entered a dunk comp in 9 years.
Although I guess people use the All Star Weekend as a platform to stardom.
ie: Vince, T Mac, Howard, Nate Robinson.
It seems that now the All Star weekend is more about the NBA building its brand for the long term with younger, lesser known guys ie: stars of the future.

Lebron really doesn't need to attend. All that can really happen is he may somehow lose the dunk comp which Nike may feel would tarnish his reputation. Remember the rumor about Nike banishing the tape of someone dunking on him?
 
He's not going to sell any more shoes by entering the dunk comp, and they've already got 4 or 5 out of the 8 horsies in the dunk comp with their shoes on already.

It would be exciting though.

Personally I will only watch the dunk comp and the three point shootout.
I'll watch the skills challenge because it's on the same night + Rondo is in it, and I love those fundamental/skill things.
I will always watch if a Celtic is competing. I just wish Ray could have gone in the 3 point comp, but understand his priorities.
You are right though, it has lost some of it's glamour/awe.
Maybe just because I can see through the glitz/glam now compared to when I was aged 8-16 and it was all about big names.