Ways to Fix the All-Star Game

[hodgy03038]

I would offer $1000 to charity for every block or steal, players would feel obligated to track back for a block or to make a play for a steal.

Good idea but this is a multi million dollar league. Let's make it $10,000 per block, steal and flagrant foul (just kidding about the last).

[Denis998]

I would offer $1000 to charity for every block or steal, players would feel obligated to track back for a block or to make a play for a steal.

Good idea but this is a multi million dollar league. Let's make it $10,000 per block, steal and flagrant foul (just kidding about the last).

There will be a ton of goaltends and it will be up to the referee to take away money from the charities

[blink]

Let the winning conference get the home court advantage in the NBA Playoffs finals. That way some of the players would care about the outcome of the game.

I like this type of idea.  Make the game have an impact on the season somehow.  Home court in the finals is one idea.  They could also spot the winning team 5 points in the first Finals game or something like that which wouldn't have as much impact as home court. 

If there isn't any actual reason for the players to take it seriously, they won't.  The ASG has been going down hill for about 10 years, and this year it was just idiotic.  It was worse than a low level pick up game at 24 hour fitness.

I wouldn't be against the commish playing a bit of hard ball with the players in suggestig to cancel the game unless there is more reasonable participation.  The players just see it as part of their branding now.  Maybe threatening to take that away would raise the stakes a bit?  i really don't know...

[Ogaju]

it is so horrendous that it will take more than all the Kings men and all the King's horses to put this back together. I say scrap it. Scrap the hip-hop rappers invasion and spare the fans this horrid show. It was so bad this year folks that paid for that insulting display should get their money back.

I am surprised someone did not have the nad to actually call the two teams aside at some point in the insufferable 48 minutes to tell them what an absolute fool they were making of themselves and the league.

The announcers actually had to try to run commentary of that debacle. The only one of the bunch that comported himself well was Giannis. What a total cluster***.

[hpantazo]

It may also work nowadays to make it into a team of USA NBA all-stars vs International all-stars. The game may be more competitive, get more global attention, and also take care of the issue that foreign players sometimes get skewed fan votes due to support of their home country.

I don't think it would be that entertaining though. I would imagine that Team USA would win every single time, just like they do when playing in the Olympics.

While fundamentaly true, there is a case.
The increase of foreign players has been trending positively for the last 20 years. That could give some boost in talent pool. Now, international players go to the NBA younger and more prepared. That minimizes some risks.
Also Euro coach wouldn't have minutes distribution headache like USA representative. If 12 players are on the roster, the Nikes, the UArmors, the Adidas...basicaly Euros are guaranteed to have better chemistry IMO.
And lastly, you could put some strong young linups like Giannis, Jokić, Dragić, KP and Mills or ([dang] where are those Lithuanian knockdown shooters when you need them) Wiggins/Embiid/Simmons there is talent. Delly would injure somebody in his 5 min stint. Manu would give his 10/15 mins. Big positions are loaded. Guards and wings are harder to find.
Maybe if the rule was american born vs international born. Then you could include Kyrie, KAT. It would make it more even. It is just one game and with such talent on both sides, game could go either way.

I agree. Nowadays it would be competitive, and both sides would play for pride. The international tv ratings would skyrocket as well.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think tying the NBA all-star game to the Finals is a terrible idea, just as tying the MLB all-star game to the World Series is terrible. The Cubs had by far the best record last year and had to play Game 7 on the road, which was unfair.

In fact, I think having a single exhibition game in any way affect a sport's championship is completely absurd.

Maybe people need to figure out what's changed in recent years: the all-star game used to be a good, entertaining showcase, so what happened? Player attitudes have changed? If so, maybe Silver just needs to lay down the law.

[hodgy03038]

I think tying the NBA all-star game to the Finals is a terrible idea, just as tying the MLB all-star game to the World Series is terrible. The Cubs had by far the best record last year and had to play Game 7 on the road, which was unfair.

In fact, I think having a single exhibition game in any way affect a sport's championship is completely absurd.

Maybe people need to figure out what's changed in recent years: the all-star game used to be a good, entertaining showcase, so what happened? Player attitudes have changed? If so, maybe Silver just needs to lay down the law.
 

 

What law would that be? Play hard? Play defense? Or what? I like the idea of charity donations in players names in whatever amount (10k?) per steal or block. Maybe they would play harder for their charities.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think tying the NBA all-star game to the Finals is a terrible idea, just as tying the MLB all-star game to the World Series is terrible. The Cubs had by far the best record last year and had to play Game 7 on the road, which was unfair.

In fact, I think having a single exhibition game in any way affect a sport's championship is completely absurd.

Maybe people need to figure out what's changed in recent years: the all-star game used to be a good, entertaining showcase, so what happened? Player attitudes have changed? If so, maybe Silver just needs to lay down the law.
 

 

What law would that be? Play hard? Play defense? Or what? I like the idea of charity donations in players names in whatever amount (10k?) per steal or block. Maybe they would play harder for their charities.

I don't know. Big fines for obvious laziness? It just can't be tied to the championship, because that's unfair to virtually everyone.

[Dannys Chipotle Guy]

Id get rid of it.

[hpantazo]

I would also add it into the next CBA that all NBA players are obliged to participate in the All-Star weekend contests including the dunk contest and 3pt contest if chosen. In the old days you had Michael Jordan, Dr. J, and Dominique Wilkins in the dunk contest, and guys like Bird going all out in the 3pt contest. It's a shame Lebron James never competed in the dunk contest for example.

[slamtheking]

cancel it in favor of a week off. haven't watched it in years and haven't missed it

[hpantazo]

cancel it in favor of a week off. haven't watched it in years and haven't missed it

It makes too much money for too many people, it won't be cancelled.

[Kuberski33]

I think All Star games in all the sports are a waste of time in this day and age.  But if they must play one, I would approach it this way. Top vote getter in each conference is made captain for each squad. As part of the Saturday night activities all players go on the court and the captains each get mikes and choose their sides - live -.  Game takes place the next day, 

A few players are bound to be offended by either when they were picked or that someone got picked ahead of them.  Also gives the players time to make their own private side bets.  That's not the end-all way to save the All Star game, but at least provides the potential for a little entertainment during the actual game.

Personally I haven't watched an All Star game since the 80's. Though I do watch the Saturday night stuff.

[slamtheking]

cancel it in favor of a week off. haven't watched it in years and haven't missed it

It makes too much money for too many people, it won't be cancelled.

not saying it will - until it starts losing money from people losing interest in it