All-Star Game Comments

So, I started to write comments about Chris's (OK, is it Chris' or Chris's? I never understood that rule) article about All-Star Games, and I just started coming up with too much. I'm an all-star game fan. I will even watch all-star games of leagues I don't normally watch (NBA, MLB). My favorite is obviously the NHL, but for some reason, I can never seem to watch the Pro Bowl (I'll get there in a minute).

First, there is the point of all-star games. I think it's a combination of a lot of things that Chris mentioned. It is a celebration of the games' best players along with those who are having exceptional seasons. So I have no problem with superstars (such as Shaq) playing even though they have not played much this season. I'd rather see the NBA All-Star Game with Shaq, Kobe, and Nash (It would have been much better with Nash this year) than some guys who I've never heard of who are having good years. Since there will be some there anyway, it still has the benefit of showing new talent. Another really cool aspect of the game is seeing players who don't normally get to play together playing together. (Which is a pet peeve of mine when Coaches in the NHL game play players from the same team together the whole game). I'll never forget that Teemu Selanne became a Duck the first time because the GM saw how well he and Paul Kariya played together in the All-Star Game.

Second, voting. I think Fans should control the voting for the most part. This game is for them after all. But there should always be commisioner's picks to allow for glaring omissions. Or to celebrate certain players. Mike Modano couldn't play this year because he was injured, but he is absolutely the biggest star in Dallas where the game was played this year. Bettman did the smart thing (I never thought I'd write that sentence) and gave him an official position that allowed him to be involved in the festivities (I was gonna write weekend until I remembered that Bettman really is an idiot and scheduled it during the week).

Third, the other events. Here is my list
In: Home Run Derby (MLB), Skills Competition (NHL), Old-Timer Game (NHL), Young Stars Game (NHL) - barely, Slam Dunk Contest (NBA) - More on this in a moment, Rookie-Sophmore Game (NBA)

Out: The game where they have WNBA players (NBA), umm.. I don't really have any other suggestions.

New: Something for the other players in the MLB. It would be cool to see an accuracy contest for pitchers or something like that. Something for NFL players. Kinda like the Quarterback's challenge they used to do (do they still do that?), Horse (NBA) - Bill Simmons has been advocating this for years. I think it's Genius.

Changes to the Dunk Contest (NBA). The dunk Contest used to be amazing. Now, it loses fun because you see someone (I won't name any names Nate Robinson) fail the same dunk over and over and over until they make it and it's not exciting anymore. From now on, Anyone there can participate and they don't have to announce. Here's the thing, you have Two shots each round. The first round can take however long they need - since we won't know who's next until they check in and say their next. In order to get participation, put up a million to the winner. Make it a real contest.

Finally, quality. I think this is where the NFL suffers the most. No one wants to risk an injury and so players are playing at half-speed it seems. This is what makes this game unwatchable to me and unfortunately, I can't imagine what they could do to improve it. I can live with lack of defense (NHL, NBA, and even to a point MLB) because the games still appear to be exhibition games. The speed of the game (or lack there of in Baseball's case) is still there and the skill is still there. That's what I like about All-Star Games.