2016 NBA All-Star Game

[Andrew]

The main event of the whole All-Star Weekend, the 65th annual All-Star Game. If you haven't seen the news yet, Chris Bosh is a late scratch, and has been replaced by Al Horford.

Who's winning, and who's your pick for MVP? I'm taking the West, with Stephen Curry taking home MVP honours after breaking the single game scoring record.

Also of interest: Who Had the Best All-Star Game Ever?

[benji]

https://twitter.com/shanmustafa_yo/stat ... 9304622085

[Andrew]

Hustle.

[Andrew]

Well, a lot of scoring in that one.

I hate to be down on the All-Star game, because I do actually like the concept, and I have fond memories of games from years gone by. The past couple of years though, it hasn't been the same. It used to be an entertaining mix of competitiveness and showmanship, with the novelty of having some of the biggest names in the sport all playing in the same game. It's always been a bit looser, but not like this.

It's like the extra money ball rack in the three-point contest. It's as though they realised that no one was coming close to breaking any records, so everyone's decided to make it easy by completely abstaining from playing defense, as opposed it to just being a little more relaxed than a regular game. It feels...manufactured. When KG scored 37 in 2003, it genuinely felt like a standout performance in a game that was still competitive. These 41 point performances the past couple of years have felt a bit phony, because the defense has been even more lacking than usual, and all the players standing around bombing threes.

Like I said, I hate feeling that way, because I like the All-Star game. On top of that, it's so cliche, and often myopic to grumble about things being better in the old days, and all that. But these last two All-Star games...for me at least, they've really kind of stunk. There's no longer that balance between competitiveness and showmanship, taking it seriously but also having fun out there. And this infatuation with the three-pointer just doesn't make for good basketball, even if they are being knocked down. I mean, Anthony Davis was the only player not to attempt one, which is ironic as he's probably been taking too many of them for the Pelicans this year. Six players attempted ten or more threes, with Paul George attempting 19. It's a bit silly, especially when it gets to the stage of multiple possessions in a row where one player just runs it up and guns a three.

The All-Star game used to be a more casual version of the legendary Dream Team practice, the "game we never saw" but from all accounts was an incredible display of basketball by some of the best to ever play it. Now it's basically the Rising Stars game on steroids and with higher salaries. And even then, the Rising Stars game feels more competitive these days.

I suppose times change, and maybe the concept isn't for me any more, with what it's become. But hey, at least we got an amazing dunk contest out of the Weekend.

[benji]

Thanks for the 50 VC, West.

[mp3]

Where's the D lol

Can't wait for a playoff style of allstar game, now that would be more entertaining imo.

Maybe iam bitter because as a knicks fan I get to see zero D being played and a free path to the basket on a nightly basis :-/

[Andrew]

Glancing at some comments on Yahoo! NBA and elsewhere, I'm seeing these complaints come up a lot. It's kind of gratifying actually, a sign that I'm not just imagining that the games used to be a bit more competitive with a bit more dedication to defense. It's nice to know it's not just nostalgia goggles, there's actually been a change.

[NovU]

Good points you got up there, Andrew.



Are rivalry and competitiveness completely dead? How do you let opponent easily score that teams score combined 400 in regulation? I can understand fans wanting to see spectacular dunks and threes, but still I could appreciate bit more effort. These superstars are settling for a cheap entertainment like blockbuster movie with all the big names but so horribly directed and scripted that you'd rather go watch a B-rated horror porn movie starring formx.

With so many great possible match ups such as Kobe vs Wade, LBJ vs Durant, etc, why not have them make in your face plays with bit of effort. Wade, break Kobe's once again. Drummond, swat away Cousins's poorly forced shots. Kawhi, harass LBJ as usual. Please.

Worst of all, easiest 50 VC for benji. That's just disgusting.

[Kevin]

For me, I think the players just want to have fun.

[Andrew]

You do wonder whether players being a bit friendlier with one another has something to do with it. Also, even though things were looser and there was a bit of a playground vibe to the game even 20 or so years ago, there was also a sense that players still wanted to make each other earn their highlights by giving a damn defensively. They revelled in the competition as much as the festiveness of the occasion. Now, it's more about stepping back almost completely, and letting each other rack up points. It just feels a bit hollow.

[formx]

These superstars are settling for a cheap entertainment like blockbuster movie with all the big names but so horribly directed and scripted that you'd rather go watch a B-rated horror porn movie starring formx.

You must love my nuts.

[air gordon]

The nba all star game is still the best all star game of the professional sports

The league gets to showcase its top players and it's free flowing game. Just have to take it as that. Otherwise you start turning into Kareem lol

[Andrew]

Yeah, like I said, I hate to fall into that habit. It just doesn't feel the same, though.

[mp3]

I'd just like to see one allstar game that tried to play a little D even of it was only on the 2nd half.

Guys like Mutumbo and Ben Wallace might as well of not turned up to play during there time because getting named to the allstar team was as good as it got for them.

[air gordon]

I'd just like to see one allstar game that tried to play a little D even of it was only on the 2nd half.

Guys like Mutumbo and Ben Wallace might as well of not turned up to play during there time because getting named to the allstar team was as good as it got for them.

I believe it was mourning one year that was actually playing defense. Hats off to him. I think he got dunked on at least 5 times

But yeah- Different times, different players. The $ has a lot to do with it

[Stress Fracture]

I think 2013 will be the last game we'll ever see defense in an All-Star gamr. The past three games have little to no D because one team gets blown out