All-Star Weekend Gamethread
- Thread starter Turrable
- Start date
rembrat said:
Yup. We want bigger and better but MJ and Vince Carter took all the good ones. Now its gimmick fest.
As someone that personally loves the dunks contest more than pretty much anything else in basketball, I am sick right now. When the rosters were first released, I was really psyched because this time, they had a good mix of young stars and guys that I knew would be creative about the process. Then they fucked it up having a bizarre freestyle round that may have not even really counted. Then they fucked it up again by only having three judges and making them pick a guy in each matchup, as opposed to the normal scoring system. One of the best parts of the dunk contest is someone throwing down something sweet, then everyone loses there shit and holds up 10s! Then they fucked it up again by having the guys just having one dunk with everyone watching and that was it. The fan voting is always an issue, but I have come to accept that as being a part of the contest.
The dunk contest, in it's most basic stance (6 dunkers, 2 go to the finals, 2 dunks per round, 5 judges grading on a scale of 1-10) is the best way to do, but the NBA totally fucked it up tonight and ruined what should have been a really fun event. They better get rid of this next year, because it was just universally a piece of crap.
The dunk contest, in it's most basic stance (6 dunkers, 2 go to the finals, 2 dunks per round, 5 judges grading on a scale of 1-10) is the best way to do, but the NBA totally fucked it up tonight and ruined what should have been a really fun event. They better get rid of this next year, because it was just universally a piece of crap.
rembrat said:
This applies to more than just the dunk contest though. They could host PBS News Hour and I'd watch.
The X Man Cometh said:
More of a Kenny Smith and Chuck guy myself, but Shaq's good too.
Kenny and Chuck ripping Shaq during the dunk contest was the highlight.
Kenny, Shaq, Chuck and Ernie are must see tv. They should just let the players go party on Bourbon Street and have those guys follow them around and commentate.
Kliq said:
Dude, its an exhibition. The whole weekend is. It doesn't count for anything and its all about product placement and promotion anyway. I agree the format was no good and that the old way was better. But, sick, really?
Fair enough. I suspect the feedback is so negative that they may revert to the prior format again next year. Frankly, I agree with others who have observed that we may have seen all there is to do with dunks by now and the NBA must agree on some level because they decided to shake things up.Kliq said:
DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:
I can understand that thinking, but I also think there are plenty of dunks we have yet to see. Personally, I have never seen Wall's dunk, Paul George's dunk, or Harrison Barnes' dunk, and that was just in one round. Guys today are athletic and creative enough to pull off some unique stuff, and while some of the entertainment stuff is corny, if it is done right it can be exciting. My main issue is that they messed around with the scoring and the format limited guys to just one dunk apiece. And even then, guys can still improve on older dunks. A lob pass to windmill slam has been done by lots of people, but each guy adds a different twist and artistry towards the dunk to make it their own.
To go off on a quick tangent, the best dunk contest of all time imo was in 2003. Desmond Mason vs Jason Richardson in the finals. Mason threw down some ridiculous dunks in the earlier rounds and pulled ahead. Richardson needed a perfect score in his final dunk to win, and he ended up throwing down the sick off-the-bounce-back-between-the-legs-reverse slam and everyone lost their shit. None of the dunks sans the last one were super innovative, but the energy of both guys was so incredible that they made the event special. The scoring today, with the fans deciding the winner, takes the honesty out of the contest. We will never get to see a great dunker like J-Rich tee up his last dunk, needing a perfect score to beat his opponent, the drama just doesn't exist. The dunk contest is all about fun for the fans, and tonight a lot of people didn't have fun. The social media outrage has been impressive, so hopefully they will revert back to something like the old formula next year.
On another tangent, the second half of the rising stars game was depressing. It was a game of one-on-one between Waiters and Hardaway with eight other fairly talented players standing around with their thumbs in their noses. It was some of the worst basketball I've ever watched. Norman Dale is turning in his grave. I wouldn't even call it playground basketball, because on the playgrounds I used to frequent, someone would have broken Waiters fingers for hogging the ball, or maybe smashed a beer bottle over his head.
Now, if the league wanted to showcase the individual skills of individual players, it could have a one-on-one competition, single elimination, involving, say, 32 players. It would be first one to 20, make it, take it so the individual games wouldn't last that long. Then guys like Waiters and Hardaway could be macho ball hogs in the proper setting. Plus, in order to win, someone would actually have to defend.
Now, if the league wanted to showcase the individual skills of individual players, it could have a one-on-one competition, single elimination, involving, say, 32 players. It would be first one to 20, make it, take it so the individual games wouldn't last that long. Then guys like Waiters and Hardaway could be macho ball hogs in the proper setting. Plus, in order to win, someone would actually have to defend.
1million to the winner and another million to thr charity of the winner. I already came up w the 8 1st rd matchups (assuming health)
James vs Paul George
Melo vs Durant
Cp3 vs Curry
Rose vs harden
Whos not watching that? Game to 11 make it take it win by 2. 1s and 2s
James vs Paul George
Melo vs Durant
Cp3 vs Curry
Rose vs harden
Whos not watching that? Game to 11 make it take it win by 2. 1s and 2s
The dunk contest has sucked for a while because we have seen everything. Not literally but ask yourself, is a new never before seen dunk really that impressive? It's just an extra spin, reverse, between the legs, yeah its difficult but we've seen everything. Combinations is the only thing that kind of changes. The only thing left to see really is distance.
You guys are on the right track though, the dunk contest isn't the problem (if there is one, its just a 3 day commercial for the league), whats needed is some new events. Pop some one on ones or something else in there and maybe have the dunk contest START the weekend. That way the "letdown" is over and we can move on.
It just sucks that no one cares about it yet the last people to realize it are the ones in charge. It's not the format, style, etc. It's the event itself. In game dunks are much more impressive.
You guys are on the right track though, the dunk contest isn't the problem (if there is one, its just a 3 day commercial for the league), whats needed is some new events. Pop some one on ones or something else in there and maybe have the dunk contest START the weekend. That way the "letdown" is over and we can move on.
It just sucks that no one cares about it yet the last people to realize it are the ones in charge. It's not the format, style, etc. It's the event itself. In game dunks are much more impressive.
Besides, a James vs Durant final? Are u kidding me? That might out-rate most NBA finals series that don't include Boston, LA, or New York.
A bracket-style tourney would be great. Make it at least 16 competitors so everyone is super-talented but there's still a nice mix of superstars and young upside. With bragging rights on the line nobody would coast, so the results wouldn't even matter. Lebron and Durant tooling on everyone would be awesome, and it would be equally awesome seeing a lesser player try to take one of them down. Give it an 8-10 second shot clock and we'd see a great display of actual basketball skills in a very competitive setting.
Either that or a 2v2 tourney NBA Jam style. HE'S ON FIRE.
Either that or a 2v2 tourney NBA Jam style. HE'S ON FIRE.
Jed Zeppelin said:
Ooh i like the 2 on 2 concept. Teammates, top 4 teams from each conference send two players.
Had half an eye on it last night on mute and was totally confused by the format, had no idea what was happening. One thing I do know, Harrison Barnes put forward the single worst dunk show ever. Embarrassing.
I love the 2 on 2 idea, because then you get elements like the pick and roll (and defending it) that do not occur in one-on-one. But I'd consider expanding the format. Every team sends two players and they are seeded based on current standings. The teams with the two best records get a first round bye and an automatic #1 seed, so you would have 16 rather than 15 teams going into the second round. I'd also suggest no free throws to speed up the games. The first 2-3 fouls result only in loss of possession. After that, each foul also gives a point to the other team.
Besides the dunk contest, the other events were actually all pretty good. Bosh being the maestro of the half-court shot was cool, then you had Lillard and Burke winning the skills challenge by 1/10th of a second, and then the three point contest had a great finish with Beal catching fire at the end to force a shootout OT period. It was the dunk contest that totally sucked, and it only sucked because the NBA fucked up the format.
Everyone the is saying they have "seen" everything is lying. Going back to the 2003 dunk contest, Richardson needed the 50 and he started off by mis-timing his lob pass and he had to try again. Magic and Kenny were saying that he can't get the 50 on a lob pass because they had already seen everything that had been done on a lob pass. Then Richardson threw down the sick jam and everyone lost their shit and awarded him a 50. You think you have seen everything until you see something you haven't. I trust that the NBA players are creative and athletic enough to keep entertaining us, but the NBA has to give them a chance.
Everyone the is saying they have "seen" everything is lying. Going back to the 2003 dunk contest, Richardson needed the 50 and he started off by mis-timing his lob pass and he had to try again. Magic and Kenny were saying that he can't get the 50 on a lob pass because they had already seen everything that had been done on a lob pass. Then Richardson threw down the sick jam and everyone lost their shit and awarded him a 50. You think you have seen everything until you see something you haven't. I trust that the NBA players are creative and athletic enough to keep entertaining us, but the NBA has to give them a chance.
Somebody upstream answered the question on how to improve any All Star competition or AS game. Money, money, money! A winner take all $100,000 dunk contest would have players competing to get in the contest. A $1,000,000 purse would bring out the best dunk contest we've ever seen.
I feel the same way about the AS games. Make it winner take all with a good number for the winners and you will see much more than a Globetrotters game. I daresay the viewing audience would double for the AS game and quadruple over that crapfest I saw part of last night.
Competition + reward = enhanced effort
I feel the same way about the AS games. Make it winner take all with a good number for the winners and you will see much more than a Globetrotters game. I daresay the viewing audience would double for the AS game and quadruple over that crapfest I saw part of last night.
Competition + reward = enhanced effort
SI pretty much nailed what went wrong with the dunk contest: http://nba.si.com/2014/02/16/2014-nba-slam-dunk-contest-format-rules-john-wall-paul-george/?section=si_latest
Ernie Johnson was promoting the trade deadline special on Thursday.
"Can we trade Shaq?" - Barkley
"Can we trade Shaq?" - Barkley
The TNT NBA show should be on 24/7. I would watch it non-stop and die laughing.
In other news, Stephan Curry is starting in the All Star game.
In other news, Stephan Curry is starting in the All Star game.
southshoresoxfan said:
He really is. Bruno Mars was great during the Superbowl but this kicks that half-time show's ass. And hey, Serena Ryder - she's got a great voice for those of you (and there are probably like zero of you who do) who know her.
Blacken said:
My buddy is convinced he's Benjamin Button. I've seen NERD a bunch of times in concert opening for other acts, awesome live rap/rock band
Wtf. Didn't this game used to be at 630? Just wanted to go against the number one show on TV where all your viewers are in your target demo?
Adam Silver era off to a fast start!
Adam Silver era off to a fast start!