All-Star Sunday Thread

[Dame]

Non NBA entity joining an All Star weekend tradition is probably not going to happen but that’s something I’ve always wanted to see since And1 players became a thing.


Problem nowadays is players (creme of the crop) are avoiding this event like a plague for brand protection. There’s a lot more to lose than to gain for Zion or any higher profile players. I’m not sure the league would also welcome the idea of some youtuber overshadowing their stars.


Makes me appreciate Vince’s career a lot more with how Superstars are ducking the competition. He had so much hype as a dunker from NC, came in the league and exceeded that.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by Dame

Non NBA entity joining an All Star weekend tradition is probably not going to happen but that’s something I’ve always wanted to see since And1 players became a thing.


Problem nowadays is players (creme of the crop) are avoiding this event like a plague for brand protection. There’s a lot more to lose than to gain for Zion or any higher profile players. I’m not sure the league would also welcome the idea of some youtuber overshadowing their stars.


Makes me appreciate Vince’s career a lot more with how Superstars are ducking the competition. He had so much hype as a dunker from NC, came in the league and exceeded that.

Back then they did it for the fans

Today they do it for the brand

...and to avoid embarrassing betting odds

[SupermanBrandon]

I’d rather watch the “nobody” street baller dunkers compete in a slam dunk competition than the “nobody” NBA players. The street guys have legit stuff. And probably have a bigger following (on socials) than the NBA guys competing. I could see the NBA stars really getting behind it. Cool moment culturally and a cool moment for the NBA to showcase talent.


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[Melagoo]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

I’d rather watch the “nobody” street baller dunkers compete in a slam dunk competition than the “nobody” NBA players. The street guys have legit stuff. And probably have a bigger following (on socials) than the NBA guys competing. I could see the NBA stars really getting behind it. Cool moment culturally and a cool moment for the NBA to showcase talent.


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... I am all for that ...

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by Melagoo

... I am all for that ...

they already had that, it was the dunk king on tv. it lasted 2 seasons.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

they already had that, it was the dunk king on tv. it lasted 2 seasons.

Not even close to the same thing. Good try.

[bigjbasketball]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Not even close to the same thing. Good try.

Except it kind of is the same thing. The dunk contest used to be cool because the best players and dunkers in the league actually competed in it. The last thing the all-star weekend needs is a bunch of nobodies that the average NBA fan has never heard of. Anyone can go on YouTube and watch cool dunks - if that’s what you’re interested in, then go watch that. The problem the NBA has is that they obviously can’t force the best players to enter, so they’re stuck using a bunch of fringe rotation players and a guy on a 2-way contract who has never actually dunked in a professional game.

You know why the 3-point contest was the best part of the night? Because you actually had stars and superstars enter the contest. That’s what people want to see. If you had Zion in the dunk contest, it doesn’t even matter if his dunks weren’t technically as good as some YouTube dunker, because he has star power, and that was severely lacking in everyone who was in this year’s competition.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by bigjbasketball

Except it kind of is the same thing. The dunk contest used to be cool because the best players and dunkers in the league actually competed in it. The last thing the all-star weekend needs is a bunch of nobodies that the average NBA fan has never heard of. Anyone can go on YouTube and watch cool dunks - if that’s what you’re interested in, then go watch that. The problem the NBA has is that they obviously can’t force the best players to enter, so they’re stuck using a bunch of fringe rotation players and a guy on a 2-way contract who has never actually dunked in a professional game.

You know why the 3-point contest was the best part of the night? Because you actually had stars and superstars enter the contest. That’s what people want to see. If you had Zion in the dunk contest, it doesn’t even matter if his dunks weren’t technically as good as some YouTube dunker, because he has star power, and that was severely lacking in everyone who was in this year’s competition.

basically but how do you get back to superstar talent in the dunk contest? I don't think you can.

[dkcardman]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

basically but how do you get back to superstar talent in the dunk contest? I don't think you can.

It's possible but for superstars its all about incentives. Get a big sponsor like Gatorade or Nike to pony up a $10M winner check and a $10M check to the charity of choice to the winner. Allow the players personal charity organizations to be recipients. Do a 3 minute feature on each player and their charity.
Do it 2 nights before the actual game so that the stars have a day to rest.
And make the last game before the weekend on the Sunday prior to give all the players some extra rest.

[bigjbasketball]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

basically but how do you get back to superstar talent in the dunk contest? I don't think you can.

This is the big problem that I don’t know if the league can solve unfortunately. I just don’t think adding non-NBA players will do anything to get them back in it, and all it will do is make the dunk contest look like even more of a joke...if that’s even possible at this point after last night’s horrible exhibition.