There's no other way to put this, the NBA has a serious problem on their agenda going forward regarding All-Star Weekend. What was once the standard for All-Star presentations and must-watch television has quickly turned into social criticism and an entity that undoubtedly reminds fans of what used to be.
Simply put, NBA All-Star Weekend is broken.
I don't want to pile on like we expect the talking heads and personalities to do. This is fixable. Like everything else in sports. However, this...what we experienced tonight, is not it.
Other quick thoughts on the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend:
- The Skills Challenge was cool when it was first introduced. Now, it's become over-produced. The map of the floor, the gadgets involved, and even the rules...just ask Chris Paul and poor Victor Wembanyama.
- By the way, the constant camera focus on both of them following the "disqualification" had such "Principal Office" vibes.
- The Three-Point content remains the purest competition in its form. It's still highly entertaining.
- Mac McClung saved the NBA Dunk Contest. I'll say it again, he saved the NBA Dunk contest. I very much enjoyed what he brought to the overall festivities. Kudos to Stephon Castle as well.
- My son wants a Mac McClung jersey. Again, NBA. Mac may not make the league but do right by that man.
- Draymond Green's comment is not what the NBA needs right now - more close stakeholders blasting the product.
- There were more talking segments and commercials than actual basketball. The most intrigued I was on Sunday night was the "OG's" vs. The Rising Stars. Do you know why? Simple. They competed. There was a bit of pride on the line in that one.
- I'm not a fan of the product being directly tied in with Inside the NBA and TNT.
- I find Kevin Hart funny. I'm a fan. I don't need him on an open mic all night. The same again for the TNT broadcast.
- My son found Sunday night boring (and confusing - "Daddy, why are Brunson and Towns on different teams?") after what was a great Saturday night.
- Throw this format in the trash and return it to the drawing board.
I miss when the All-Star Games were a celebration of the sport. The NBA included. As a fan of the Knicks, I don't want Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns playing heavy (or competitive) minutes in a meaningless game. So I won't pretend to be a "purist" pining for the old days.
Let's also not get lost in the nostalgia sauce. The guys in the past played hard in the 4th quarter. The first three were certainly running lobs, dunks, and other shenanigans.
I just want a celebration of the game.
Somehow, we need to get back to that.