All Star Weekend

All Star games are always an interesting thing to watch. The MLB's is almost too important now, the NFL's is about the most unimportant thing ever, and nobody even knows the NHL has an All Star Game. When it comes to All Star games, the NBA has it right.

Sure, they might not play defense at all, but who really likes watching defensive battles anyways? I get the feel from the NBA All Star game that the players actually get to have fun playing the sport they have devoted their lives to. In a Communication class at ASU we are learning about "play" in terms of performance communication. I believe that is the root function of All Star games. The premier players of the season get to get together and honor their teams and cities while performing their sport "worry free".

It's not just the All-Star game though. In the NBA the other competitions surrounding the actual game are the best in all sports: Slam Dunk Contest, 3 Point shooting contest, and Skills Challenge. These are actually enjoyable to watch. Now most of this years dunks were kind of a bust, but I think back 12 years ago (has it really really been that long!?) and Vince Carter's dunks are still some of the most amazing I've seen to this day.

Really, when it comes down to it the only unwatchable aspect of All-Star weekend were the musical performances. Pitbull and Nikki Minaj? Bleh.