All Star Game Format?

Last night the NBA conducted the first of its kind in the ASG. Creating 4 different teams—They had 4 different head coaches (Shaq, Kenny, Candace, and Chuck) splitting the All Star’s and Rising Stars. The part that got the stars talking was the USA vs World feel.

Everybody knew the NBA needed Shaq and Chuck’s “OGs” to mstchup in the Championship. Chuck had quite a squad—Consisting of Jokic, SGA, Mitchell, Towns, and Siakam vs Curry, Durant, Lillard, Harden, and Tatum. The game ended in a blow out 41-25, and all the talk was not around the game itself.

The NBA has gone all in on “entertainment”. Which is not to say it is a bad thing, but when that becomes the focal point of the entire business model, and less about the real product. You have the question the “association” and start titling it a corporation. The NBA has done a great job in the past of balancing the game itself and the entertainment, but this year seemed to go over the top. Kevin Hart, and the Half-Time performance weren’t “bad”, but they have a place and in this game when the fans are already complaining about the joke of a game the all star game is this added fuel to the fire.

The reality for the NBA is understanding the fan base. There needs to be a better appeal for all involved. The conduct that is shown by players, referees, owners, coaches, all throughout the league is not something that provides evidence to support Adam Silver’s claims for what the league advocates for. Again *FYI* I understand how the business works, and in no way am saying this is not the “best” or “right way, it is.

To conclude I thought the best moments of the night came in the Candace vs Shaq game. The youngsters making life tough for the OG’s. That is what the all star game should be about. Showcasing your talent in front of the wide audience. The standouts were Steph Castle, Dalton Knecht, Ryan Dunn, Amen Thompson, and Zach Edey. Those guys are the future of the league, so we need to appreciate the OG’s, and get ready for the future.

The NBA and MLB are the only sports that get an All Star Weekend, and should do everything to maximize the opportunity they get the reach wide audiences. Its time the NBA focuses on improving the product of the Weekend, and in turn drive hype for the rest of the season.