NBA people slam All-Star Game: 'Irredeemable' and 'Dreadful' / News - Basketnews.com

2024 NBA All-Star Game turned into a scoring spectacle, as Adam Silver, players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and journalists express dissatisfaction, prompting calls for innovative changes and proposals like "USA vs. World."

Credit: Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

The 73rd All-Star Game in Indianapolis was anything but a competitive spectacle, as the Eastern Conference shattered the all-time scoring record by being the first team to surpass 200 points in a 211-186 victory over the Western Conference.

In a game where the two sides attempted a combined 168 3-pointers, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, known for his strong player relationships, couldn't hide his annoyance.

When awarding the trophy to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Silver flatly remarked, "And to the Eastern Conference All-Stars, you scored the most points. Well... congratulations."

Even the players themselves seemed less than thrilled to be on the court.

Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis pointed out that the most memorable moment for him was when the hype teams from the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers showcased their dunk routines between the third and fourth quarters.

"I think the best [moment], we were talking about it, was the Bulls and the Pacers dunkers," Davis said, via Tim Bontemps of ESPN. "With the trampoline? They were very, very impressive."

His teammate, LeBron James, who set a new record with his 20th All-Star Game appearance, voiced concerns about the lack of defense, saying, "Our competitive nature doesn't like to have free-flowing scoring like that."

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards took a more laid-back approach, expressing his disinterest in playing all-out in an All-Star Game: "For me, it's an All-Star Game, so I will never look at it as being super competitive. I don't know what they can do to make it more competitive."

The sentiment extended beyond the players, with media representatives and NBA insiders expressing dissatisfaction.

"That was dreadful. Again. I am beginning to think this game is irredeemable," The Athletic's David Aldridge wrote on X. "I am not sure why even minimal defense effort is beyond this generation of All-Stars. But it may be time to end this game if they can't give more of a damn than that."

"If it wasn't my job to watch that game, I would've changed the channel within five minutes. I can't imagine I'm alone in that sentiment," Brad Botkin of CBS Sports added.

"I suppose there's a contingent of fans out there who think anything an NBA basketball player does is cool, but let me tell you, there is nothing cool or fun or entertaining about watching tall guys dunk basketballs on unguarded baskets. Save the tired bounce-pass alley-oops and warm-up 3-pointers," Botkin went on to write. "Karl-Anthony Towns scored the dumbest 50 points in basketball history."

Some proposed solutions to revitalize the All-Star Game.

"Give me USA vs. World next February," ESPN insider Bobby Marks noted. "There's enough high-level international players to field a strong team (if not better)."

With fan fatigue setting in, there is a clear need for innovation within the All-Star Game format, but the NBA has yet to find a golden ratio.

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