The snubbing of Ben Simmons for All-Star game exposes flaws with the concept
The NBA All-Star games has been reduced to a meaningless contest that even dedicated fans find hard to even, and Ben Simmons’ was another hit to the concept’s credibility.
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Ben Simmons’ snubbing as a starter in the NBA’s All-Star game is proof the concept needs changing, because at present it is a meaningless game that is a popularity contest without being competitive.
Being an All-Star still carries weight for the players, more ego based than anything, but beyond the recognition what does it really do for their careers?
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The game itself is a point scoring feast with little to no defence as the stars do their best to avoid injury with the post-season looming.
Even the biggest NBA fans on the planet will agree that it is a struggle to watch an All-Star game that lacks the energy and effort of a normal game.
We all want to see devastating dunks, but we also want genuine application on the defensive end and players scrapping for every inch to win.
This doesn’t happen in the All-Stars game. Instead the match has become a relaxed shoot around where players literally take the piss in defence.
Australia’s Philadelphia 76ers guard Simmons should be a starting guard, no question.
He has been incredible for Philadelphia in the absence of star big man Joel Embiid, who is sidelined with a finger injury.
The boy from Melbourne has been a buck at both ends of the floor to establish himself as a genuine leader at the 76ers.
Simmons became the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 80 per cent from the field and record five steals while posting a 30-point triple-double in a win over Brooklyn this week.
It was impressive to watch.
Yet Simmons has missed out on an All-Star starting position, with Boston’s Kemba Walker and Atlanta’s Trae Young gaining selection as the guards.
I don’t mind Young’s inclusion. The kid has been sensational for the last-placed Hawks, but does he deserve to be ahead of Simmons?
I’m a huge Celtics supporter when I’m not in my sports reporter straight jacket, but even I can’t vouch for Walker ahead of Ben as an All-Star starter based on form.
Kemba has been brilliant for Boston, but Simmons’ 76ers have already beaten the Celtics on three occasions to claim their first season sweep over their eastern rivals in six years.
Sure, Ben still doesn’t have a consistent jump shot, but he also does things on a basketball court that other players can’t.
Like his ability to drive to the rim, his selfless vision and passing ability and his dogged defence.
These are the qualities of an All-Star, an honour that Simmons deserves this season based on his standout form.
So what is the solution?
Force the stars to play harder? In a perfect world this would be ideal, but the world isn’t perfect and franchises will always want to protect their players from injury.
Regardless, this doesn’t dismiss the reality that the All-Star concept needs changing with a fresh new look to give it the entertainment value it deserves.
The dwindling affection for the All-Star game was highlighted to me recently when the NBL here in Australia sparked discussions about bringing back the league’s All-Star concept.
Normally the NBL, and most leagues in the world for that matter, would happily duplicate any idea from the NBA.
You’d be stupid not to. It’s the planet’s best basketball competition with the best athletes and the biggest global television audience.
But when it comes to the NBA’s All-Star game, the NBL are steering in a different direction.
They are reluctant to replicate a fixture that lacks any real competitiveness barring a few cheeky dunks for show.
In order to produce something purposeful and sustainable, the NBL are looking outside the box for a different way to showcase their league’s talent in a mid-season concept.
This stance shows that the NBA All-Star game isn’t the shining dual it potentially once was, and that change could be in order to give the game a much-needed boost.
The other frustration with the All-Star concept is the voting process, which can often become a popularity contest over standout form.
For example, you could argue that James Harden doesn’t deserve his position as a starting in the West based on this season.
Sure his shooting numbers are strong, but he hardly plays defence and the ultra-talented Rockets are languishing in sixth position in the West.
Originally published as The snubbing of Ben Simmons for All-Star game exposes flaws with the concept