All Star Weekend: Not Really

Posted by Jeffrey Wank on February 23, 2009

I am a huge, call me obsessive fan of All-Star weekend.  I watch it like it was Presidential Election or 9/11 coverage, in fact I probably watch more on All-Star Weekend than I did of either of those.  I am not sure if that makes me a bad American or the best American ever.  I watch the Rookie-Sophmore game, the practices, Reggie Miller bizarrely hosting the greatest dunk contest dunks of all time, the Legends brunch, etc.  Yes, I sat there for 90 minutes watching tall old African American men eat breakfast.  My DVR began recording Saturday and Sunday at 6am and went all day and night.  I watch more on the relatively pointless all star game than I would on the NBA Finals.  I saw everything there was to see on All Star weekend…

Except a single Jazz jersey or player, and I am not talking about during the Sunday game.  I am talking about all weekend in any event or even in an interview or at the legends brunch.  Last season, Malone spoke at that event.  This year is the first time ever that I can remember the Jazz not being represented in anything by anyone.  I miss the days of Malone and Stockton hoisting up the MVP award, and Hornaceck dominating the 3-point contest.  Even as recent as last season, Millsap and Brewer wore headbands for the Sophomore team.  The Jazz of the ’80s and ’90s were definitely not known for being high flying or playing above the rim, but they managed to get David Benoit laced up for the dunk contest.

I agree that the Jazz record and injuries this season did not warrant any Jazz players to be in the big game on Sunday, but maybe Koufos could have been in the Rookie game (’cause Almond definitely didn’t deserve to play for the Sophomores), Okur in the 3-point shootout, Brewer with his crazy verticle in the dunk contest, or Deron defending his record-shattering performance in the dull skills challenge. I think it is a conspiracy against the Jazz or maybe they all declined invitations because they wanted to go to Mexico and have margeritas.

As an unflinching fan of All Star weekend, it bothers me that my favorite team is not represented.  Every team in the NBA should have at least some form of representation.  It doesn’t have to be equal.  Obviously, the teams with the best record should be celebrated a little more, but every team should at least have one player there.  For someone with such a strong marketing background, you would think that David Stern would encourage that.  A broader representation of similar quality might make for more eyeballs.  Meaning, if all 30 teams have at least one player there in any event, you are more likely to get a fan of that team to watch, whereas otherwise they would feel left out.  Maybe one more person that isn’t a Spurs fan would have watched All Star Friday Night if Memo was in the 3-point shoot out instead of Roger Mason?  After all, the Spurs were also competing in the Shooting Stars event and the Skills Challenge, so Spurs fans were already watching, well-covered, and invested.  Maybe if a newbie with hops like Brewer was in the dunk contest instead of JR Smith, who seems to have not cared or no longer has the jumpies he used to, one more Jazz fan would have watched?  Maybe it would be you?

All Star weekend should be a celebration of all 30 NBA teams, not just the “best” or the big city ones.  The playoffs are the time to discriminate.

2 Comments

Reid on February 23, 2009 said:

I did see a life size cut out of Deron Williams at Jam Session! Even got a picture of it. Made my day!

Linda McFarland on February 23, 2009 said:

And it should be played at the end of the season!!!!

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