The Rafters Pod Ep. 116: The Problem With All-Star Weekend

Another disappointing NBA All-Star weekend has come and gone. This year seems like a kickstart for change because there is a serious problem with All-Star Weekend. Ratings and fan fair are at an all-time low. The Dunk contest hasn’t been impressive since the days of Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine. The Three-point contest was sloppy. The skills competition hasn’t garnered attention in its history. Worst of all, The NBA All-Star game was an atrocious display of three-point chucking. No one, the NBA included, liked the product on the court displayed this past weekend. Is there a way to fix what was once an enticing event?

Two Boston Celtics took part in All-Star weekend. Jayson Tatum was voted to his 5th All-Star game and Jaylen Brown was voted to his 3rd. Brown also was a first time participant in the NBA Dunk Contest. Tatum went through the motions of a terrible All-Star game without making a splash. Brown had a quiet 34 points in a win for the Eastern Conference because they hit more three’s than the West. The East and West combined for 168 three point attempts finishing with a final score of 211-186. Those numbers are all you have to see to be disappointed in what the All-Star game has become. 168 three point attempts is a clear sign effort was at an all-time low. Every player was jacking up as many three pointers as possible with little actual basketball being played. Commissioner Adam Silvers disappointment was palpable when handing out the trophy. What can the NBA do to fix this stark lack of effort in the All-Star game? Connor and Liam have some ideas.

The Dunk Contest hasn’t been must-see for a decade now and this year was no different. Besides the Champion, dunkers lacked creativity and pride.