Sarina Morales recommends changes in All-Star Game favoring fans: “Whatever they need to incentivize LeBron, Greek freaks, Joel Embiid of the world"
The NBA All-Star Game festivities are typically fun for fans around the world. However, the dunk contest and other events are typically boring, and some are starting to become frustrated with it.
Sarina Morales, a Bally Sports analyst, said the league needs players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Zion Williamson to participate in the dunk contest if they want the event to have any meaning. Too many stars in the past have not participated in the event.
Can the NBA get superstars to participate in the Dunk Contest again?!
@sarina is looking at you, Zion Williamson 👀
@BallySportsNO | @Zionwilliamson | #Pelicans https://t.co/nxXt2TiCIL
NBA players saying they won't do the dunk contest
Ja Morant said he wouldn't participate in the dunk contest in February, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports:
"Memphis Grizzlies standout rookie Ja Morant has decided not to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago next month, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
Anthony Edwards has been questioned in the past, but he said he's an in-game dunker and doesn't have any interest in competing in the dunk contest.
Zach LaVine is one of the best dunkers that the dunk contest has ever seen. However, he's also become fed up with how the event is run and decided that it's best if he doesn't do it any longer:
"Even last year, I was thinking about doing it just because it was in Chicago. But I'm a little bit past that now, man," LaVine said. "And we've got a lot of games left. I don't want to lose my legs."
Aaron Gordon hasn't done the dunk contest in the past few years, and it's unfortunate for fans because of what he's able to do. He had hops like many have never seen before and his battles with LaVine go down as some of the best dunk contests in NBA history. However, he said he doesn't want to do it:
"I have some fears that I ruined the dunk contest, that people aren't going to want to do it anymore. I hope that people see Mr. 50 and are inspired and continue to elevate that dunk contest, because there are still dunks that haven't been done. I'm not going to do them, but I hope somebody comes in and does them. It's a great event. It's beautiful for the game."
Perhaps the NBA can give more of an incentive for stars to participate in the dunk contest. If they want players like Giannis, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Ja Morant and more, they need to give them a reason to do it. Offering them $1 million to compete wouldn't be a bad idea. The TV audience would be the highest it's ever been if those guys compete.
The 3-point contest and other All-Star Game festivities are fun, but the dunk contest is severely lacking. Even the All-Star Game at this point isn't too fun for fans, either, as there's no defense. However, watching the 20 best players in the world going at it will always be a treat.
Maybe NBA commissioner Adam Silver can figure something out for the All-Star Game moving forward.