What about combining Nate’s idea (8 teams of 3) and Zach’s idea (enhance chances of winning a championship), but make it more directly beneficial to the teams of the winning players (rather than their conference). My proposal: the real teams represented by the each of the players on the winning trio get an extra win in the regular season win column (and maybe one less loss?). So if Nate’s hypothetical Cavs trio won, the Cavs would get three extra wins. If Team KD wins, the Suns, Warriors, and Pacers all get a win. Again, not sure about what bonus is big-enough-but-not-too-big, and I’m sure there are all types of real-life barriers to something like this happening. But, all of a sudden, a team could get excited about their star(s) putting in the effort in the ASG to help them in the playoff chase!
Waste of time as the players care about money, understandable, the owners care about money, and pride has become a slave to money. So the answer can only be offer the winning players 1 million each which comes out of the pockets of the losing team. But while I applaud Nate’s efforts but unless the players care all these options just don’t work.
How about a one-on-one tournament? Kids at the park aren't running elaborate zone defenses or perimeter offenses; one-on-one is, in a way, pure basketball as she's played by everyday Americans. Seeing the pros play the same game they play on the playground could be compelling to a lot of fans.
I posted my plan earlier today. 3-on-3 sounds like fun, but my wondering is this: Instead of new gimmicks, what if we give the All-Star Game some teeth?
That first phrase is the closest I've seen irl of Louis CK's rant on blog posts. The ones starting like "Ok here is the thing, first I need to take a shit, ok I'm back"
1. Better stakes for the winners are possible. I like the idea of it giving a .33 win per player to the team that wins the tournament.
2. Less injury risk in 3v3 compared to full court, and also just less tiring generally.
3. The other players watching would provide some memorable visuals
Thing that I don't like:
1. I don't know how much of a television event this is. The NBA ratings are in long term decline, and after the novelty wears off, it doesn't seem like this would change that.
Future article idea, "is the NBA the first US sport where the live product is less relevant than the surrounding talk? (and is F1 already there?)
BONUS:
My Pro Bowl fix idea: it should be done on Madden, with the NFL hosting tryouts for fans to play the individual players. Broadcast it like an actual game, with live commentary for the game announcer duos that EA used.
3 on 3 would be great, especially if it counts towards Olympic 3x3 qualification. No reason why we shouldn't have NBA players participating in that instead of Jimmer Fredette
Love the 3x3 suggestion as it was very entertaining in the last summer Olympics. In addition to your 8-team format, I would suggest that the financial incentives (reportedly ~$2M total) normally split between the All Star players are pooled into CHARITY prizes with $750K going to the 1st place team's charity of choice, $400k to 2nd, $275k 3rd, $200k 4th, $150k 5th, $100k 6th, $75k 7th and $50k 8th. I would definitely be excited to watch that!
It's probably hopeless. Literally the only "plan" is to make players care. And you can't even get players to care very often during the regular season, let alone for an All Star exhibition game. No format, tournament, draft system, World Vs USA, etc has a chance to get guys to give any effort in this game. Kobe, Jordan, and David Stern aren't coming to the rescue.
It is a cool idea that has the potential to be really fun. It can't possibly be worse!
What about combining Nate’s idea (8 teams of 3) and Zach’s idea (enhance chances of winning a championship), but make it more directly beneficial to the teams of the winning players (rather than their conference). My proposal: the real teams represented by the each of the players on the winning trio get an extra win in the regular season win column (and maybe one less loss?). So if Nate’s hypothetical Cavs trio won, the Cavs would get three extra wins. If Team KD wins, the Suns, Warriors, and Pacers all get a win. Again, not sure about what bonus is big-enough-but-not-too-big, and I’m sure there are all types of real-life barriers to something like this happening. But, all of a sudden, a team could get excited about their star(s) putting in the effort in the ASG to help them in the playoff chase!
3x3 basketball is fun to play, not great to watch. 1x1 is even worse. ... Solution is to move the NBA Cup semis and Finals and create a great weekend.
It's 100% on the players. David Stern isn't walking through door. Only a Kobe-like alpha who can shame his peers into playing hard is the answer.
Yes. It is hopeless. In this modern era of very well paid pro athletes, all star games just don’t work.
Waste of time as the players care about money, understandable, the owners care about money, and pride has become a slave to money. So the answer can only be offer the winning players 1 million each which comes out of the pockets of the losing team. But while I applaud Nate’s efforts but unless the players care all these options just don’t work.
Could go with 2 on 2, still keep the teammates together and basically realize the NBA Jam dream
How about a one-on-one tournament? Kids at the park aren't running elaborate zone defenses or perimeter offenses; one-on-one is, in a way, pure basketball as she's played by everyday Americans. Seeing the pros play the same game they play on the playground could be compelling to a lot of fans.
I posted my plan earlier today. 3-on-3 sounds like fun, but my wondering is this: Instead of new gimmicks, what if we give the All-Star Game some teeth?
https://thefiddler.substack.com/p/how-to-make-the-nba-all-star-game
That first phrase is the closest I've seen irl of Louis CK's rant on blog posts. The ones starting like "Ok here is the thing, first I need to take a shit, ok I'm back"
Things I like:
1. Better stakes for the winners are possible. I like the idea of it giving a .33 win per player to the team that wins the tournament.
2. Less injury risk in 3v3 compared to full court, and also just less tiring generally.
3. The other players watching would provide some memorable visuals
Thing that I don't like:
1. I don't know how much of a television event this is. The NBA ratings are in long term decline, and after the novelty wears off, it doesn't seem like this would change that.
Future article idea, "is the NBA the first US sport where the live product is less relevant than the surrounding talk? (and is F1 already there?)
BONUS:
My Pro Bowl fix idea: it should be done on Madden, with the NFL hosting tryouts for fans to play the individual players. Broadcast it like an actual game, with live commentary for the game announcer duos that EA used.
Worth a try…my money is on Team SGA!
3 on 3 would be great, especially if it counts towards Olympic 3x3 qualification. No reason why we shouldn't have NBA players participating in that instead of Jimmer Fredette
Love the 3x3 suggestion as it was very entertaining in the last summer Olympics. In addition to your 8-team format, I would suggest that the financial incentives (reportedly ~$2M total) normally split between the All Star players are pooled into CHARITY prizes with $750K going to the 1st place team's charity of choice, $400k to 2nd, $275k 3rd, $200k 4th, $150k 5th, $100k 6th, $75k 7th and $50k 8th. I would definitely be excited to watch that!
This is way more detailed than "concepts of a plan" I expected. Also, I know nothing about sports. So... good luck? :D
It's probably hopeless. Literally the only "plan" is to make players care. And you can't even get players to care very often during the regular season, let alone for an All Star exhibition game. No format, tournament, draft system, World Vs USA, etc has a chance to get guys to give any effort in this game. Kobe, Jordan, and David Stern aren't coming to the rescue.