National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner Adam Silver was not a happy camper in the aftermath of the 2023 All-Star Game. He had seen the two teams combine for a ridiculous 359 points off 255 field goal tries. The final score 鈥 in which there was a nine-point difference 鈥 made it seem like the match was close, but 鈥渙pposing鈥 would be an onerous adjective to describe both sides. A mere seven fouls were called, not to mention four free throws attempted, from start to finish 鈥 as clear an indication as any that defense was nonexistent.
And so Silver spent the next year trying to find a solution to the utter absence of competitiveness in what was supposed to be the highlight of All-Star Weekend. That all he could do as a result was mandate a return to the old East-versus-West format underscored the complexity of the problem. Even as players want to showcase their best by way of thanking fans, they understand that exerting no small measure of effort in the exhibition comes with risk. They simply do not want to get injured going at full speed in an inconsequential venture. For all their desire to invest in the contest, they are constrained by the potential damage to their career.
Little wonder, then, that Silver was still not a happy camper in the aftermath of the 2024 All-Star Game. The aggregate score was 38 points higher. The number of committed foul shrank even more to three. And so dismayed was he by the outcome that he oozed with sarcasm during the trophy presentation. Meanwhile, the so-called All-Stars seemed like they couldn鈥檛 care less. Anthony Edward鈥檚, one of those tabbed to be the future of the league, went so far as to admit that 鈥淚t鈥檚 a break. So I don鈥檛 think nobody want to come here and compete.鈥
Silver has come full circle. Seven years ago, he sought to modify the rules and have team captains 鈥 the top vote getters 鈥 construct the lineups. Four years ago, he added the Elam Ending. The unique concoction led to what was arguably the best-ever centerpiece. The ensuing set-to showed how a perfect blend of the NBA鈥檚 cr猫me de la cr猫me can produce a masterpiece. Everybody competed to the fullest, and on both ends of the court.
Moving forward, there is need for Silver and Company to think outside the box anew. Perhaps it鈥檚 because the game itself has been around for quite a while now; at 74 years old, it鈥檚 definitely long in the tooth. Perhaps it鈥檚 also because a different set of thinking informs today鈥檚 crop of talents; as gung-ho as they may be for bragging rights, they鈥檙e practical enough to acknowledge that nothing trumps their health. And while advances in medicine and technology have helped them take better care of their bodies, the very improvements under today鈥檚 style of play likewise demands more from them.
There is no quick fix to Silver鈥檚 concerns. As with the Slam Dunk Contest, it is in dire need of innovation. And in the face of the alarming indifference from the stalwarts who should be celebrating it, the adjustments cannot come quickly enough.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, 聽and business development.
