I’ve watched every single NBA All-Star weekend event since 1990. From Dominique winning the 1990 dunk contest, to Magic’s comeback in 1992, to the GOAT’s last All-Star Game as a Bull in 1998, to Vince Carter in Oakland in 2000, to the Zach LaVine/Aaron Gordon duel in 2016, I’ve seen it all.
That 2016 weekend, which was also Kobe Bryant’s last All-Star Game, is probably the last time I’ve stayed awake for all the weekend’s proceedings.
I’ll never miss an All-Star Weekend. But the 2024 edition is another in what’s becoming a long line of duds. The 3-point contest has become the jewel of the weekend. This year’s shootout between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu was Saturday’s highest-rating segment.
The game itself, well, sucked.
No one looked like they wanted to be there, except maybe host town hero Tyrese Haliburton, who lit up in the first quarter. The All-Star Games I grew up with (never thought I’d type that) were just as entertaining in terms of highlight plays, but there was a sense of pride that took over late.
It used to mean something to be one of the 10 guys on the court the last 10 minutes of regulation. Players on both sides guarded, contested shots. The best guys ended up with the ball in all the high-pressure situations.
I’m not sure if there is a fix for it. This past weekend we had guys talking about how having fun was more important than winning. Is more money the answer? Is a change in a format the fix? Who knows? I just know that an event featuring the best basketball players in the world should be much more exhilarating than what we got last weekend.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Boston Celtics
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Denver Nuggets
4. LA Clippers
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Dallas Mavericks
9. Phoenix Suns
10. New Orleans Pelicans
11. New York Knicks
12. LA Lakers
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Golden State Warriors
15. Indiana Pacers
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Miami Heat
18. Orlando Magic
19. Utah Jazz
20. Chicago Bulls
21. Houston Rockets
22. Atlanta Hawks
23. Memphis Grizzlies
24. Brooklyn Nets
25. Toronto Raptors
26. Charlotte Hornets
27. Portland Trail Blazers
28. San Antonio Spurs
29. Washington Wizards
30. Detroit Pistons
