This year’s NBA All-Star game had a higher significance, as it was played in memory of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. The MVP award was also renamed to the Kobe Bryant MVP award. Kawhi Leonard was the first inaugural winner of this award at the 2020 All-Star game.
Aside from the significance of remembering Kobe Bryant, I don’t think the NBA All-Star game has any meaning. In my opinion, it’s one of the least important All-Star games, only ahead of the NFL Pro Bowl. The NBA All-Star game is the most recent of all the major sports, with the MLB All-Star game starting in 1933, the NFL Pro Bowl starting in 1939, and the NHL All-Star game starting in 1947. Just because it is the most recent, does not mean it is the least significant, I think it’s one of the least significant because of what the game stands for.
The NBA All-Star game does not stand for anything, and disincentivizes competitive play. Players are told not to play defense, and try to score lots of points and do crazy things to entertain fans. I personally don’t want to watch a sporting event that is completely non-competitive. The NFL Pro Bowl has the same problem of being non-competitive. The NHL and MLB All-Star games are the only ones hold (held) significant competitiveness.
The NHL introduced a new format to their All-Star game, adopted in 2016, of a 3 v 3 tournament, with 4 teams, one team representing each respective division. This desire to win the 3 v 3 tournament gives the players some incentive to play hard and actually compete to win, unlike basketball and football. The fast pace and competitive atmosphere make this game very fun to watch.
I might be a little biased as a college baseball player, but I believe the MLB All-Star game is one of the best formats for an All-Star game. When the All-Star game was first created, it was used to determine home field advantage for the World Series that year. These games became fierce battles, because everyone wanted home field advantage in the World Series. This would change in 2017 when the rule changed to the team with the best record entering the World Series would host the first 2 games. Even after the change in rules, the game remained somewhat competitive, because of the tradition of the game. I think the dynamic of pitcher and hitter is what keeps the competitive edge in the game, and that’s what makes this All-Star game still competitive. No hitter is going to let a pitcher strike them out with ease, and no pitcher is going to lob a pitch that is easy to hit.
There are key elements within the MLB All-Star game that other sports do not have that make it the best All-Star game, maybe not the most “entertaining”, but definitely the most competitive. Which All-Star game is the best in your opinion?
John Marrs Sports Blog 