Former U.S. President Barack Obama’s appearance on ‘The Young Man and the Three’ podcast reignited the conversation about the NBA All-Star Game’s declining competitiveness. In his candid remarks, Obama pointed out the glaring issues:
“Y’all gotta have a little more pride in that All-Star game. I mean, look, it’s not as if y’all don’t play pickup during the summers. You know how to play in a way that, all right, I’m not gonna hurt anybody, I’m not gonna take anybody out.”
“That All-Star game, it’s broke, man. I mean, people just like not running, everybody just trying all kinds of… It used to be when Kobe and Michael and Isiah. Those guys were playing man. I mean they weren’t playing the way they did regular season, but they wanted to win.”
“It insults the game… Everybody needs to be just like, all right… Lock in better. Because you’re showing out, this is your business. This is your product. You don’t want people thinking, y’all out there just half-a**ed.”
“Take it more seriously… the problem is y’all get paid so much now, although the in-season tournament turned out better than I expected.”
“Y’all need to do something because I ain’t watching that thing no more.”
He reflected on how past All-Star games featuring legends like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Isiah Thomas showcased a sense of pride and competition, even if they weren’t playing at regular-season intensity. His message was clear: today’s All-Star games are lacking effort, and it’s tarnishing the NBA’s product.
Obama’s critique is something many NBA fans have echoed for years. The All-Star game, once a marquee event, has lost its shine. Players treat it like a glorified scrimmage, with minimal defense, excessive three-point attempts, and a general lack of competitiveness. As Obama said, it feels like players are “half-assed” out there, and that’s reflected not only in the way the game is played but also in fan engagement.
Looking at the 2023 All-Star game, which drew just 4.6 million viewers—the lowest in over 20 years—it’s clear the format is in trouble. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has repeatedly urged players to take the game seriously, yet the product on the court hasn’t improved.
The 2024 edition saw a slight bump in viewership, reaching 5.5 million, but the game itself was far from entertaining. The final score was a mind-boggling 211-186, with players showing little to no interest in stopping anyone on defense. This style of play has alienated fans, many of whom remember when All-Star games were actually competitive and fun to watch.
Obama’s call to action for players to “lock in better” touches on the core problem: the pride factor. Back in the day, legends like Jordan, Bryant, and even Magic Johnson took the All-Star game as an opportunity to showcase their competitive spirit, even if it was in a more relaxed environment.
They understood that this was still part of their legacy, still part of the overall product that the NBA was putting out for fans. The modern era of players seems to have lost that connection, with many treating the event like an obligation rather than a chance to entertain and compete.
A major part of the problem, as Obama pointed out, could be the massive paychecks players now earn. The financial incentive to go all out in an exhibition game just isn’t there anymore, especially when they’re focused on preserving their bodies for the regular season and playoffs.
However, he did note that the NBA’s new in-season tournament has shown some promise in motivating players, likely because those games count toward their season records. This indicates that there is potential to reinvigorate the All-Star Game if the right incentives and stakes are introduced.
In essence, Obama’s comments highlight a broader issue with the NBA All-Star Game: it has lost its soul. What was once a showcase of the league’s best talents going head-to-head in an entertaining, competitive environment has devolved into a low-effort spectacle. If players continue to approach the game with such indifference, as Obama mentioned, it risks further alienating fans and damaging the league’s brand.
Ultimately, if the All-Star Game is to regain its former glory, players need to rediscover the pride and passion that once made it a must-watch event. As Obama said, it’s not just a game—it’s part of their legacy and the NBA’s product. The league may need to rethink its format and incentives, but more importantly, the players need to take it upon themselves to restore the competitive spirit that made the All-Star game great in the first place.
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