Fans unhappy, left wanting for more as 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend failed to bring the goods: "Adam Silver happened", "Bring some kind of rivalry back?"
The 2023 NBA All-Star weekend turned out to be a major disappointment. Apart from a few highlights, the annual basketball carnival failed to match its expectations. The Slam Dunk contest was the only event that left everyone impressed.
Barring the Slam Dunk event, fans expressed their discontent with how the weekend played out from start to finish, including the All-Star game. It wasn't competitive, leaving viewers reminiscing about how the weekend and the game were played before the turn of the 2020s.
One fan on Twitter directed his frustrations at league commissioner Adam Silver, writing:
"Adam Silver Happened smh"
@AutomaticNba Adam Silver Happened smh 🤦🏽♂️
The league has now been commercialized in almost every aspect. The NBA has also altered the formats and rules of all events, which hasn't worked out as expected.
Another fan wondered if the NBA restoring the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference format at the All-Star game would fuel the rivalry and make the event competitive again. Here's what he tweeted:
"I hate this idea but would making it east west again bring some kind of rivalry back?"
@AutomaticNba I hate this idea but would making it east west again bring some kind of rivalry back?
The league tried to make things interesting by creating a draft format for the All-Star game in 2018. The two leading vote-getters from the two conferences get to draft their teams from a pool with players from both conferences.
It was a successful way to make the game competitive for a few years, but that hasn't been the case consistently. The East vs. West format would at least give players from the two sides fighting for supremacy, proving the competition is better on their side of the field.
Here are some more reactions that followed after an underwhelming 2023 NBA All-Star weekend:
RIP https://t.co/6qtP2LSn1a
@NBA There is no reason for this game to exist in this form.
What happened to the game we love man 💔 https://t.co/DT74rzkbid
@AutomaticNba Just guve the guys their flowers and scrap the game if it's gonna be like this.
@AutomaticNba star players gotta step it up, it’s sad seeing luka/jokic/ja look completely uninterested in playing in the game
@AutomaticNba Kobe looking down on this game tonight: https://t.co/x4l7t9MQGD
This was the most “fuck it” All-Star Weekend I’ve ever seen. Jesus Christ.
I’m glad that weak ass all star weekend is over
I could fix the all star game but Adam Silver is unserious
The NBA All-Star Game 30 years ago. Barkley with the hard foul on Shaq. And Mark Price stopping an alley-oop attempt. https://t.co/X1hstXxr1I
@Ballislife @VicLombardi The whole focus for every player is dont get hurt...i mean i get it, but it sucks to watch. Watching dudes jacking up wide open 3s almost every possession is not entertaining.
@Ballislife @VicLombardi He ain't wrong tho shit was mid 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/fyReGCrffb
@Ballislife @VicLombardi Yeah the ASG is garbage now and has been for a while. Basketball without defense is simply not real basketball. I mean most of the game is wide open 3 pointers and dunks.They have 2 seperate competitions the night before for that shit....🤦♂️🥱 #NBAAllStar
How does it keep getting worse every year. twitter.com/LakeShowYo/sta…
They needa do some 1v1 games already twitter.com/lakeshowyo/sta…
mfs was sleep by the time halftime was over twitter.com/lakeshowyo/sta…
Back when they used to treat the All-Star game like the playoffs (1993)
https://t.co/iLGcGfWPDt
Jaylen Brown and Michael Malone echo fans' sentiments after a dismal 2023 NBA All-Star Game
The 2023 NBA All-Star game is merely an exhibition contest. However, it still gets competitive as the game progresses. That wasn't the case this year. Entering the weekend, several marquee names like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson had pulled out of the game due to injuries or rehab.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the winning captain, made it to the All-Star weekend but with a wrist injury he suffered in the last game before the break. That forced him to miss the skills challenge. Giannis started the All-Star game but exited after scoring the first points.
His counterpart LeBron James sustained a hand injury during the All-Star game after he hit the rim on a block attempt and missed the entire second half. James sat out as a precautionary measure.
“That’s not basketball,” Jaylen Brown said. Called the game a glorified “layup line” and said he hoped there was a way to make the game more competitive. Obviously no real defense played tonight
The players in action didn't play with any intensity either, turning the game into a shootout. Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown and Team LeBron coach Michael Malone echoed fans' sentiments about the disappointing game played on Sunday. Brown gave a straightforward assessment, saying, "it wasn't basketball." Meanwhile, Malone claimed it was the "worst basketball game ever."
Michael Malone after the 184-175 All-Star Game:
"It's an honor to be a part of a great weekend with great players but that was the worst basketball game ever played."
(Via @VicLombardi)
https://t.co/HvNauv62UE
The increase in load management, the commercial side of things and increased workload for players are among the topics that could once again be prominent following the lackluster display during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.