Official stance from the Tuesday Newsletter Extravaganza: The watchability (or lack thereof) of Sunday's proceedings is just not an issue worth obsessing over in 2024
I'm certainly not angry about it as I can't recall the last time I cared about an all-star game in any sport. Probably with the NBA or MLB when I was in college in the mid-80s. That said, I'm convinced that recent all-star games add to the perception problems with certain segments of the fanbase that the players don't care enough and that the game is tilted far too much towards offense.
Silver and the league's defenders will point to a bunch of metrics -- team valuations, ratings, and TikToks are all up! -- and while that's probably true, I think the league is losing more fans like me and potentially gaining ground with fans who like the spectacle, off-the-court drama, and high scores (some nights the league feels a step or two away from pro wrestling). While it's a small sample size, the comments on Athletic articles are telling. I've gone from feeling like I'm in the minority for thinking like this to knowing there are a lot of people who share my opinion.
Ten years ago, I was the kind of guy who was ignorant about soccer and made fun of it. Now the Premier League is my favorite league, ahead of my lifelong love of basketball.
The play in the ASG is disrespectful to the fans when it comes down to it. Like alot of other things the money has ruined it. Kobe and LeBron didn't dog it 15 years ago. So just cancel it stop the fronting and move on.
Also NHL and NFL have physical contact every play and shift. No one is saying to go out there and take a charge but to chuck up garbage is drek. Players don't care. Its a joke.
I totally agree with you about All-Star game. It’s been years since I watched one, so why should I be upset because it’s even more unwatchable than previous games (which I hadn’t watched either)? I hate to admit it, but though I had watched some more recently than that, my last clear memory of an All-Star game is of Chamberlain vs. Russell, with Wayne Embry guarding Chamberlain (and Russell effectively guarding everyone else).
I couldn't agree more about the All-Star game
I'm certainly not angry about it as I can't recall the last time I cared about an all-star game in any sport. Probably with the NBA or MLB when I was in college in the mid-80s. That said, I'm convinced that recent all-star games add to the perception problems with certain segments of the fanbase that the players don't care enough and that the game is tilted far too much towards offense.
Silver and the league's defenders will point to a bunch of metrics -- team valuations, ratings, and TikToks are all up! -- and while that's probably true, I think the league is losing more fans like me and potentially gaining ground with fans who like the spectacle, off-the-court drama, and high scores (some nights the league feels a step or two away from pro wrestling). While it's a small sample size, the comments on Athletic articles are telling. I've gone from feeling like I'm in the minority for thinking like this to knowing there are a lot of people who share my opinion.
Ten years ago, I was the kind of guy who was ignorant about soccer and made fun of it. Now the Premier League is my favorite league, ahead of my lifelong love of basketball.
The play in the ASG is disrespectful to the fans when it comes down to it. Like alot of other things the money has ruined it. Kobe and LeBron didn't dog it 15 years ago. So just cancel it stop the fronting and move on.
Also NHL and NFL have physical contact every play and shift. No one is saying to go out there and take a charge but to chuck up garbage is drek. Players don't care. Its a joke.
I totally agree with you about All-Star game. It’s been years since I watched one, so why should I be upset because it’s even more unwatchable than previous games (which I hadn’t watched either)? I hate to admit it, but though I had watched some more recently than that, my last clear memory of an All-Star game is of Chamberlain vs. Russell, with Wayne Embry guarding Chamberlain (and Russell effectively guarding everyone else).
I still stand by my Wemby comments...👀
💁🏽♂️ #unanimous
Spurs fans keeping receipts 😎
I keep theorizing fixes for All-Star Weekend. I originally typed a few ideas here. And then I deleted them. Let it go, Sherm, let it go.