Written by Darrell Wilkinson
Lets face it people All-Star games just aren't what they used to be. Its a combination of the best and often most popular players getting an opportunity to join together to form a couple of super teams to face off on the field of battle. How could that be boring? Well, simply when it doesn't mean anything.
Of the five major American sports(yes I've included soccer) most have deteriorated, but this 2015 NBA All-Star game showed me that maybe these games(or events) aren't quite dead yet. The NBA All-Star game in my opinion creates a very fun atmosphere and enjoyable events that fans actually want to watch. We love the game itself but ask any baseball fan what his favorite part of MLB All-Star weekend is. They may just tell you its the Home Run Derby, an event completely separate for the game itself. Watching the best of the best pros in the game doing the things that get us the most pumped in the game.
The NBA All-Star weekend just completely overshadows its competitors. From watching Zach LaVine sky over the rim and jam sickening dunks to Stephen Curry drilling all but three of his shots in the three point contest there's a lot to offer besides the game itself. A game which although doesn't mean much still packs a punch. Russell Westbrook was named the All-Star game MVP with his 41 points and had an All-Star game record 27 points in the first half. With more three pointers made then any of the last All-Star games and at halftime it was apparent a little more effort was put in then usual. A 163-158 win for the Western Conference over the East was contested throughout which is great for the rating and will keep fans attention.
The Pro Bowl in the NFL is an absolute joke, with players only going about half speed and not really into the game(although they play a much more violent game), the skills competition exists sometimes but isn't highly advertised and doesn't have a concise, clear highlighted event to get it into the spotlight. Major League Baseball's All-Star game is different because it actually has slight meaning. Winner gets home field advantage for their conference in the World Series, so if your team plans on going to World Series(which all teams should duh) and you make the All-Star team, you better be trying out there. The MLS All-Star team has the privilege of playing a European powerhouse soccer squad capable of demolishing them with their B-list squad, enough said on that. The NHL has an interesting skills competition to go along with its All-Star game but still doesn't hold quite the draw that any of the other major sports have.
Its surprising the NFL doesn't have the most popular everything, including All-Star games but with the way the NBA is looking they could top the All-Star game list for years to come. Imagining that one of these sports could take into account the success of the other sports best All-Star features could put on quite the show. A competitive game with the sports biggest stars, interesting and watchable skills competition and finally an entire watchable All-Star weekend. Its hard to imagine but as of right now the NBA has it right.
The dunk contest has room to improve with more stars being included, but if there are people like Zach LaVine in this world who can dunk like he can then I want to see them in that competition. If Lebron cant step up then I don't want to see him try, but by all accounts he can and he should to help improve his sports brand, along with maybe proposing to give home court to the winning conference. Some incentive to play the game instead of just showing off and trying to look flashy. A 150+ score from both sides is fantastic, but we watch the game for defense too and some of these players were selected for their ability on the defensive end of the floor as well. So lets see it NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL or MLS. Someone step up and create the best All-Star experience out there. For now the NBA is king.
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
Of the five major American sports(yes I've included soccer) most have deteriorated, but this 2015 NBA All-Star game showed me that maybe these games(or events) aren't quite dead yet. The NBA All-Star game in my opinion creates a very fun atmosphere and enjoyable events that fans actually want to watch. We love the game itself but ask any baseball fan what his favorite part of MLB All-Star weekend is. They may just tell you its the Home Run Derby, an event completely separate for the game itself. Watching the best of the best pros in the game doing the things that get us the most pumped in the game.
The NBA All-Star weekend just completely overshadows its competitors. From watching Zach LaVine sky over the rim and jam sickening dunks to Stephen Curry drilling all but three of his shots in the three point contest there's a lot to offer besides the game itself. A game which although doesn't mean much still packs a punch. Russell Westbrook was named the All-Star game MVP with his 41 points and had an All-Star game record 27 points in the first half. With more three pointers made then any of the last All-Star games and at halftime it was apparent a little more effort was put in then usual. A 163-158 win for the Western Conference over the East was contested throughout which is great for the rating and will keep fans attention.
The Pro Bowl in the NFL is an absolute joke, with players only going about half speed and not really into the game(although they play a much more violent game), the skills competition exists sometimes but isn't highly advertised and doesn't have a concise, clear highlighted event to get it into the spotlight. Major League Baseball's All-Star game is different because it actually has slight meaning. Winner gets home field advantage for their conference in the World Series, so if your team plans on going to World Series(which all teams should duh) and you make the All-Star team, you better be trying out there. The MLS All-Star team has the privilege of playing a European powerhouse soccer squad capable of demolishing them with their B-list squad, enough said on that. The NHL has an interesting skills competition to go along with its All-Star game but still doesn't hold quite the draw that any of the other major sports have.
Its surprising the NFL doesn't have the most popular everything, including All-Star games but with the way the NBA is looking they could top the All-Star game list for years to come. Imagining that one of these sports could take into account the success of the other sports best All-Star features could put on quite the show. A competitive game with the sports biggest stars, interesting and watchable skills competition and finally an entire watchable All-Star weekend. Its hard to imagine but as of right now the NBA has it right.
The dunk contest has room to improve with more stars being included, but if there are people like Zach LaVine in this world who can dunk like he can then I want to see them in that competition. If Lebron cant step up then I don't want to see him try, but by all accounts he can and he should to help improve his sports brand, along with maybe proposing to give home court to the winning conference. Some incentive to play the game instead of just showing off and trying to look flashy. A 150+ score from both sides is fantastic, but we watch the game for defense too and some of these players were selected for their ability on the defensive end of the floor as well. So lets see it NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL or MLS. Someone step up and create the best All-Star experience out there. For now the NBA is king.
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com