The All Star Weekend is supposed to be one of the main showcases for the NBA product. The stars are on display, the game’s elite all come out, there are events all around the town, giving it a festival feel at times. So what’s the problem?
Well, the whole idea is to entertain and recently the general consensus is that it just isn’t very entertaining. The lead-up events are confusing and/or just odd. The dunk contest has jumped the shark (don’t give them any ideas, please). The 3 point contest still delivers but doesn’t always have the best shooters involved. And of course the All Star game itself has devolved into a half-speed pickup game (no matter how much the league has tried to guilt them into trying harder).
The league has tried a number of gimmicks to spice things up. New events, captain led drafts, the Elam Ending, and now the World vs. the US. None of it seems to have moved the needle much yet. So how would you change things to make it more interesting?
Incentives for winning the game? Monetary or team related? Format changes? Or just scrap some of the events? Maybe move it to the offseason after the Finals (like the NFL Pro Bowl)? Feel free to be creative!
What are your thoughts? You are the commissioner and you can call the shots. How are you changing things?
