The NBA’s mid-season classic All-Star Weekend is finally upon us. This weekend is meant for the fans and players alike to celebrate the game we all love. But in its 75th iteration, it’s taking place during a time when capitalism keeps such a stranglehold on players’ schedules and energy this weekend.
I’ve mentioned in past pieces that the advent of every player becoming a brand for themselves has hurt All-Star Weekend. Marquee players no longer want to participate in spotlighted events, such as the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. That’s particularly out of fear of losing and potentially putting out a dismal performance. So, with all that corporate greed has taken from us regarding All-Star Weekend, what good stuff still remains? Well, I’ll tell ya!
The fun of NBA All-Star Weekend
Every year, one of the most underrated All-Star Weekend events that I love is the All-Star Celebrity Game. It’s one of the most lighthearted and fun events of the weekend. What’s ironic about it is that you’d expect these amateurs to be the ones not to put forth much effort. But what these celebrities lack in talent, they do put forth in effort, and it’s truly hilarious. Even with all of the hijinks of those games, there are some fun gems that you discover. You begin to appreciate the legitimate basketball acumen of some players that you wouldn’t expect.
Kevin Hart, for instance, has participated several times. Mostly clowning around in those games, but within it, you realize that he can really play. Even more famously, former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan dominated the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Before his career in politics and serving in the Obama administration’s cabinet, Duncan served as a team captain at Harvard. He even played internationally. These are all facts that we had no clue about. He came in and balled out in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The list can go on from Chris Brown to Terrell Owens—but the Celebrity Game is always full of one of these surprises.
One event that would be a fun team activity during All-Star Weekend is also the Skills competition. It would usually include teammates of a team who have great chemistry with one another. They then would participate in a competition that tested their fundamental skills by way of passing, shooting and ball handling. Due to last year’s chicanery with Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul loopholing through the rules, the NBA is now going back to its Shooting Stars Competition.
This game, however, is a lot of fun because it usually includes some NBA legends participating in some shooting drills. Thankfully, we have fond memories of this game as well, which has seen even the likes of Magic Johnson and Dominique Wilkins participate and even defend their titles.
A true fan favorite of the festivities
Certainly, the next event needs no introduction. The one event that has never really skimped out on its fans is the All-Star Three-Point Contest. Especially with the three-point shot becoming such a featured part of NBA offenses over the last 15 years, it has featured some of the best shooters that we have ever seen. We’ve even seen the “Splash Brothers” of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson face off in this event. The three-point shootout has also become a favorite during All-Star Weekend because the star power in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest has plummeted.
No longer are the best star dunkers involved in the Slam Dunk Competition. In fact, in recent years, players who rarely step on the court have been involved—players that most of us aren’t familiar with. If you ask me, it’s time that the Three-Point Competition be the night’s final event. It’s there where some of the best of the best truly get to face off.
One last shot
Lastly, the crescendo of the weekend should be Sunday evening’s NBA All-Star Game. This year, with a new three-team “Round Robin” tournament, through several games where two United States teams go against one international team, it’ll be determined which side has the best talent.
A more detailed breakdown can be found on the NBA’s website, but it remains to be seen if players will actually care about playing a fun game this year, rather than sleepwalk through the whole thing. I personally don’t think that any specific format change will impact players’ effort. That all comes from within.
If we get a better game this year, it’s because the fellas are tired of the bad press. It’ll be because they do have a modicum of pride about how they represent the game during its most marquee weekend for the league. It’ll be a sight for sore eyes if this weekend’s All-Star Game is memorable. I wish I could bet my Meta frames that it will be. Let’s see!
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