The Daily Think

If you were like me and watched the NBA All Star Game this weekend in Indianapolis, you probably felt robbed of seeing a competitive event. The score being a combined 400+ points was just the annual layup line and uncontested 3 point shot after shot. Long gone are the days when a young Kobe wanted to take it to the veterans like MJ in the Garden. Long gone are the battles between East and West divided all stars who were competing to win the game on both ends, not just offensively. Barkley vs. Malone, Hakeem vs. Ewing, Jordan vs. Magic, those rivalries are long gone, and we are left with highly talented but hyper-focused NBA players who would rather sit and watch and be named All-Stars as opposed to being competitive and finding out who the best truly is.

Your Initial Reaction is right but Wrong
I’m sure your first reaction was anger and you saw this game as more of the typical modern NBA games with no defense and a lack of caring by the players. Stephen A. Smith summed up our anger over the lack of competitiveness with his rant on First Take, but as angry as we get, the players will not hear any of that. The only person in position to care about it, and hear all our complaints is NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who is more of a facilitator than an innovator. Adam Silver is like Tim Cook of Apple, while David Stern was more of the Steve Jobs who saved the NBA. But complain and cry foul all you want; it doesn’t matter to modern NBA players because the astronomical contracts they now earn inside and outside of the NBA allows them to not care about a game that is essentially meaningless in the standings and doesn’t assist them in any meaningful way.

So why don’t they try just for the love of the game?
There is no such thing as the love of the game, there is only legacy. The modern NBA player lives under the analysis of over 220 Podcasts, constant coverage on ESPN and ESPN2, NBATV, and the social media gauntlet of being the most famous athletes worldwide and known on every continent. Why would this game register as something they should try to compete in, when they are hyper focused on the final part of their NBA season, the 2024 Playoffs. The “love of the game” argument is something the older generations throw in the younger generations faces and is more of a sentiment of fans who aren’t able to comprehend or see the bigger picture and the scrutiny of players like Kevin Durant who will only be known as one of the most talented players to never win a championship without help.

What is the value of a Championship?
Well, without pocket watching NBA players (we at thinknewsnow hate doing that) but it’s worth ALOT of money. Let’s start at the top, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Lebron James are billionaires with a B. That is 15 championships between them from the 1980’s to 2024. Anyone can see that those championships brought them a level of immortality in the NBA sport and to be discussed for years to come. Let’s move on down the list, we have Kobe and Shaquille who have combined for 9 championships collectively and individually and both have reported net worth’s over $500 Million each (Forbes.com.) Additional modern players include Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Dwayne Wade with net worth’s in excess of 9 figures while their co-workers without championships earn an amazing living but are not in the $100M club. Let’s be honest, the best player on an NBA championship team, will most likely be minted for life, legacy cemented, and given the keys to the 9-figure club with endorsements, contracts, and opportunities.

So the All-Star Game is Meaningless?
Yes, pretty much. NBA players do not have an incentive to be the best at an all-star game. They don’t have an incentive to win a mid-season layup line and don’t need to beat their equal on the opposing side. The sad truth is, the All-Star game has become what the fans and media have created, another meaningless game that doesn’t build on their legacy when their careers are all said and done.