by The NBA has tried just about everything. The fans had to choose All-Star Game captains, who in turn selected their team’s playing style for a game with a goal score ending. Last season they went back to the old-fashioned East vs. West. The league has increased the amount of money going to charity based on the outcome of the competition.
Nothing has made the NBA All-Star Game competitive or compelling. It has remained a defense-free zone of dunks and uncontested 3s, a no-stakes exhibition that holds little interest for fans beyond the event’s raw star power.
That hasn’t stopped the league from finding the secret sauce – and they’ll be trying something new this season.
“We are looking at different formats for this year’s All-Star Game. So it’s not a traditional game format,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday in Mexico City, referring to the game that will take place on February 16 in San Francisco.
What will that game look like? Good question. That is still being discussed.
“We’ve had direct conversations with Steph Curry. It’s a home game for him. I know he is very proud and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward, so we are looking at other formats,” said Silver. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed in the All-Star Game last year as well. We all want to do a better job of providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”
The highlight of last February’s All-Star Weekend that created the most buzz was the three-point shootout between Curry and WNBA star (and now champion) Sabrina Ionescu. That will come back in some form and likely be expanded, Silver said.
“Sabrina Ionescu is from the Bay Area. Like I said, of course Steph will be there, and I can’t remember if they’ve committed formally or informally, but they know they’re going to do this again. They are looking forward to it,” said Silver. “I think as soon as they left the field after the competition last year they basically said we needed more than one round to make it even more fair. So we are going to do even more things.”
More skill-related competitions could be fun, but the Sunday All-Star Game itself may be beyond saving.
Ask the players why it is so uncompetitive and the first thing that comes up is the injury risk. Elite NBA players aren’t going to take charge, play physical defense, dive for balls, or do anything else that involves injury for a pointless exhibition. , especially one that falls right before the final push to the playoffs. These players carry their respective teams, they are not going to risk those goals for an exhibition. Players are more concerned with wrapping up the weekend, fulfilling their league and sponsorship duties, and then heading to a warm, sandy beach for a few days of rest before the grind of the season begins again.
The NFL did away with the Pro Bowl game for much the same reason: the game was uninteresting as players strove to avoid injuries. It went to skills competitions and some flag football. The NHL, like the NBA, played with formats and opted for a 3-on-3 tournament (last season with players called up to one of four teams), a much more open style of play with less contact.
Silver doesn’t seem ready to give up on the All-Star Game idea just yet. Ultimately, he may not have a choice.
This year, however, we’re getting a different funky format. Evidently.
