Tank's Take January 31, 2003

Do Stars Still Shimmer?

What has happened to the concept of the All-Star Game? At one time the All-Star Games captured a great deal of attention while providing fans an opportunity to see all their favorites on the same field.

Being selected to an All-Star team used to be one of the biggest thrills especially for a young player making his first appearance as he got to hang out with some of the players he had grown up watching who were making one of their last appearances. However, now players only want to be selected to the All-Star Game for an All-Star bonus a bonus for many of them they don't even have to attend to receive. This causes many players to fake injury or make up any excuse they can to get out of going. Its one thing if a player is legitimately injured, but when players cite fatigue, as their sole reason for not going to the All-Star Game something is wrong. The Bottom Line able to play then you should go to the game, if not then you lose any right to an All-Star Bonus the All-Star Game should not be an invitation to receive money for nothing.

Most All-Star Games end up being over bloated exhibitions, as the NBA All-Star Game starts to look like Harlem Globetrotters tryouts as every type of dunk is tried and traveling calls are only made before and after arriving at the airport. Meanwhile the NHL All-Star Game also ends up being a high scoring affair, as the game usually features no penalties, with the only checks arriving in the mail. However, this dose not mean fans can't enjoy the games.

An All-Star Game provides the sport an opportunity to showcase all their top players even those on teams that won't come close to the playoffs. It also is a turning point for the season, before the game teams put them into position for contention after the game they must make their playoff drive picking up the final pieces need to bring home a title.

All-Star Weekends can also provide a showcase for future stars, the NHL and NBA each hold Rookie Game now, which are held the day before the main event as part of a larger skills competition. These skill competitions often even take the spotlight form the All-Star Games themselves, as more people end up talking about the Slam Dunk and 3-point Contest in the NBA, and the Home Run Derby in Baseball. However, each event is still a part of the whole All-Star Package.

Despite the added excitement, fan interest waning television ratings for All-Star Games seem to get worse every year. This is part of the reason that this year's NBA All-Star Game will be shown only on cable, and not over the air. Part of the reason interest has waned is that every game is on TV every night. Fans can now literally watch every game with Seattleite or Digital Cable packages. In addition the plays that used to be seen only in All-Star Games are now showcased over and over again on Sportscenter, which often place emphases on the spectacular play over he important fundamental plays that actually decide the game. However, the biggest reason is that All-Star Game plat to a niche market and with the audience for all Television fragmenting its only natural rating will fall.

There is nothing wrong with the All-Star Games and their current formats, there is no need to add moronic gimmicks like granting the League's winner home field in the sports final. In addition All-Star Games should remain Conference vs. Conference the NHL proved over the last 5 years North America vs. the World dose not work, and thankfully they have chosen to go back to the traditional East vs. West format.

One All-Star Game that may need some work is the NFL's Pro Bowl. However, truthfully there is not much that can be done, the game can't be played in the middle of the season, and coaches won't want to risk players playing the game in the pre season. To entice the player the game is played in Hawaii. However this hurts fan interest in the game. Playing at season's end also hurts as players pull out left and right leaving many mediocre players that are hardly All-Stars suiting up. However, perhaps it should be just viewed as a last chance to watch NFL football for 6 months and another opportunity of Tamp Bay Buccaneers fans to gloat, as their players are the toast of Hawaii.

Maybe All-Star Games are not as good as they used to be, and no longer a special event. However, they are still a vital point of their sports season, and more often then not fun to watch.