Patrick Kinahan: Broken NBA All-Star Game repeats as snooze fest

SALT LAKE CITY — One predictable issue was the only blemish in otherwise spectacular NBA All-Star weekend in Utah's capital city.

All the events staged around town were a smashing success for the participants and fans, highlighted by the riveting 3-point shooting and dunk contests. Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, along with all those associated with pulling off the activities, deserve credit for a job well done.

But ...

There's no other way to say it: The actual culminating All-Star Game bordered between a colossal bore and an absolute joke. A few half-court heaves that go in and an array of uncontested 3-point shots and dunks get old after the first 50 of them — in the first quarter.

At their essence, sports are a measure of competition between teams or individuals. Anything less is a fraud, not worthy of any merit.

Team Giannis beat Team LeBron 184-175, marking the first time the NBA's all-time leading scorer lost in six games as an All-Star captain. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum earned MVP honors after posting an All-Star Game record with 55 points.

Far from breaking news here, the All-Star Game has been essentially a waste of time for several years. Players gave up the desire to compete in these games long ago, preferring instead to jog up and down the court rather than entertaining the preposterous thought of getting in a defensive stance.

Not that it's advertised as anything other than a farce. By now, every paying customer knows full well not to expect a semblance of a game.

"It's an honor to be here, it's an honor to be a part of a great weekend, great players, but that's the worst basketball game ever played," said Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who coached Team Giannis.

Boston Celtics forward Jalen Brown, who suffered a facial contusion after taking an elbow in a recent regular-season game, tested out a mask for the first time in the game. But the game didn't allow the two-time All-Star to get a good feel for what awaits when the season resumes.

"It was a glorified layup line," Brown said. "We've got to figure out how to make the game a little more competitive."

Good luck with that. There's a better chance of eliminating the constant practice of load management, which is a trumped-up term to hold players out of games. For many players, the risk of injury isn't worth the cost of competing. At this point, peer pressure prevents playing defense.

"No one got hurt," Malone said. "They put on a show for the fans, but this is a tough game to sit through; I'm not going to lie."

Echoing a familiar sentiment, Malone had no solutions to change the issue. Buyer beware, purchase All-Star tickets at your own risk and the league assumes no liability for any disappointment.

NBA officials likely would prefer more effort in the annual mid-February showcase, but it probably isn't a high priority. The repeated practice of star players sitting out games continues to remain a serious turn-off for fans.

At least the night before the game was worth the price of admission. Contestants in the 3-point shooting and dunk contests put on a fun evening of entertainment, with the non-participating All-Stars exhibiting contagious enthusiasm in response to the 3-pointers and dunks.

Local favorite Damian Lillard, who starred at Weber State, won the 3-point contest. He continued to show loyalty to his alma mater by donning a Wildcats uniform.

"When I touch down here in the summer, whether I'm going back for an alumni game or just going to train, or this time, I feel the love," Lillard said. "I know that I'm welcome here. It's a second home for me."

Recent Philadelphia 76ers signee Mac McClung felt at home during the dunk contest, too, which he won with several eye-popping slams. Undrafted out of college in 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Sixers last week.

Related topics