The 2024 NBA All-Star Game was widely panned for its lack of competitive action, with the players not looking invested in the contest. Amidst a sea of criticism, Scottie Pippen has emerged to disparage this year’s even more. He spoke to the media in a press conference before the 2024 NBL Playoffs and shared his true thoughts on what happened at the All-Star game.
“I didn’t catch any of it, and I think I did a good job. I think we have been seeing this for the last few years, with the All-Star game, and the importance of the game. I think it all falls back on the players, whether or not they want to compete. I heard one player say they don’t think anyone wants to be there.”
Pippen went on to say that this is hurting the league more than helping it.
“Maybe there is a time and place for it. Maybe the players are making too much money, they don’t feel that they can generate the energy, the excitement in mid-season to go out and excite the fans anymore. The league has to take a look at it because it’s doing more harm than good to the game right now.”
Pippen is a seven-time All-Star and participated in the game during arguably the most competitive era of basketball. While I am not advocating for the NBA to return to the ’90s, I do think the NBA needs to find ways to motivate its players to compete more.
What’s The Main Reason Behind The All-Star Game Falling Off?
A lot of theories as to why competitive action in the All-Star game has disappeared have been floating around for years. Naturally, the first finger is pointed at LeBron James for not setting a competitive tone as the league’s face and arguable GOAT. However, the problem runs deeper than that.
Pippen also raised the financial aspect of players’ being paid way more nowadays and simply not caring about the game. The earning potential these players have is directly linked to their availability. Players are going out of their way to protect themselves from injury because the financial stakes have become much higher.
Those stakes don’t apply to everyone, as two of the most active players in the 2024 Game were Damian Lillard, who’s making $45.6 million this season, and Jaylen Brown, who signed the richest contract extension in NBA history over the summer. Money isn’t the only factor affecting them as multiple players have openly admitted the injury risk as a factor behind why they play with low effort.
The NBA has a pickle on their hands with how they’ll address the failing state of the ASG. They’ll have no choice but to revamp the format next season, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do then.
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