In case you didn't know, the NBA All-Star game is this weekend. In all honesty, I had no idea until I looked it up a few minutes ago. But that's just how this NBA season has felt. We're so caught up in the present that we neglect looking to the future. Throughout the previous five seasons, we have awaited a fixed number of playoff series. But not this year. The basketball universe has an imbalance which is yet to be corrected. The San Antonio Spurs, despite leading the West, shouldn't be elite. Tim Duncan is a shell of his former self. Manu Ginobili's bald spot has gone from a hilarious side note to the staple of his appearance. Kevin Durant should be the MVP. The Miami Heat should be hands down the best team in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers shouldn't consider making a deal. But all these things are happening and defying the preseason logic that normally proves itself valid.As we have waited for the ship to right itself, All-Star weekend has snuck up on us (kind of like the guy who sidles in Seinfeld). In its purest form, it's a showcase of the NBA's best talent, regardless of team ability. But this season's rosters, more so than most seasons, have taken an ugly turn. In the East, only six teams are represented, none of which are currently below the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. In the West, only Kevin Love is not on a playoff team. Clearly this imbalance will always occur; the better players usually play on winning teams. But at some point, we have to be honest with ourselves.
Yesterday I was introduced to the Rik Smits award for the player with the most undeserving, random and never-going to-happen-again All-Star selection. Al Horford, this year's winner, is just one example of the prejudice that afflicts the All-Star game. Mo Williams, a previous winner, is another. But this list should not exist. It's ruining the NBA's supposed showcase.
In short, the coaches are slipping. So much so that reputation and winning precedes on-court ability. And a player with only his reputation to cling to is most likely aging. Taking that one step further, an aging player will probably make an All-Star Game less exciting.
So among other changes to All-Star weekend (A 16 person, 1-on-1 competition which I outlined previously), the NBA should create 2 rosters. Roster 1's selection would proceed with complete coach autonomy. No fan input, no chance of Yao Ming making the roster. Simply the best players in the NBA. When a player's NBA All-Star appearances are considered, this is what we would refer to.
The secondary All-Stars would be the NBA's most exciting players. Instead of coaches picking the best players, have select media members (I know I know, that's probably a bad idea. But I don't have anything better), come up with a list of 50 of the most exciting players in the NBA. No one really wants to watch Paul Pierce operate at 0.5 miles per hour. As fundamentally sound as Tim Duncan's post game is, he's the sole reason why the Spurs have been completely unwatchable (not including this year) for the past 13 seasons. Every time they make an ESPN or TNT appearance, I just want to hit the turbo button, NBA 2k11 style. Even players like Dirk, Kevin Love and Chris Bosh may miss the cut. Finesse and fundamentals represent a one-way ticket away from Youtube. Essentially, if you're a Youtube sensation as an NBA player, this is the game for you. And this would be the All-Star Game we watch. Imagine watching Rudy Gay and Shannon Brown instead of Dirk? Imagine watching Nate Robinson dunk over Blake Griffin? I understand that the NBA All-Star game showcases the best the league has to offer, but sometimes best does not equal best, if you know what I mean.
Maybe this is why they made the dunk contest. But if the most exciting players are unwilling to participate (in general), let's throw them into the All-Star Game mix instead. They wouldn't say no to that, right?
Will this ever happen? Absolutely not. But it's fun to imagine these dunks occurring for 48 minutes on both ends of the floor (A link worth clicking on, I promise).
