During the 1980s and 1990s, the environment around during the NBA All-Star game was entirely different compared to today.
One of the best examples was the 1989 NBA All-Star game featuring the likes of Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, and Dominique Wilkins. Speaking of the trio, a picture of them recently went viral on Facebook. The three superstars jumped at the rim together to finish a dunk, which is more than enough to highlight the competitiveness during that era.
The 1989 NBA All-Star game resulted in the West registering a 143-134 victory over the East. While Michael Jordan recorded 28 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals, the West simply outplayed Jordan and co.
Karl Malone was named the NBA All-Star game MVP for having 28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Anyway, the biggest takeaway from the game was the level of competitiveness during the NBA All-Star games in the 1980s. So much so that Jordan used to go off on his teammates for not playing defense during All-Star games. Unfortunately, the same level of passion is not seen by modern-day NBA players.
How To Fix The NBA All-Star Game?
Up until a few years ago, most players took the NBA All-Star game somewhat seriously. But now, it has become a glorified charity game.
The players have stopped playing hard during the game, impacting the overall ratings. So much so that the 2023 NBA All-Star game was the lowest-rated and least-watched edition. A prime example of this is the below-attached image:
But is there a way to fix the ratings for the NBA All-Star weekend? Well, we believe a Team USA vs. Team World game can save one of the most illustrious events of the year.
Even if the league decides to adapt to this format, the root cause of the downfall still needs to be addressed. The players selected to play during the game need to take it seriously and give their 100% as they do throughout the season.
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