NBA Notes - NBA ALL-STAR Game - Not A Game But A Show - February 2007

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

It was another run and gun, no defense, ally oop, spin in the air turnaround-dunking spectacle. I thought I was watching professional basketball players performing "Alice In Wonderland." There have been a lot of changes that the EARTH PEOPLE have made since 1951…. EXCEPT THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME!!!

Sunday February 18, 2007

NBA All-Star SHOW!!!

When Kobe Bryant accepted his second All-Star game MVP Award he said, "I hope we put on a good show."

Bryant who previously won the trophy in 2002 uttered these poignant words after the West demolished the East 153 - 132 tonight in Las Vegas, Nevada USA in what can be described a NOT SO hotly contested affair. Bryant finished with 31 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals.

It was another run and gun, no defense, ally oop, spin in the air turnaround-dunking spectacle. I thought I was watching professional basketball players performing "Alice In Wonderland." Yes, yes, yes… I agree with Kobe it was a show and most definitely NOT a game.

At half time the score was West 79 East 59. The West made 35 of 64 shots taken. The East made only 26 of 60. The West led by as much as 30 points during the show. When all was said and done there were a total of 257 field goal attempts taken in the game. When you do the math the result is 5.354 shots taken per minute or almost one every 10 seconds. DEFENSE….. WHAT'S THAT???

Yea, yea, sure, sure I know I can be perceived as the person that put razor blades in the Halloween candy for the kiddies or the Grinch that spoiled Christmas but HEY… somebody has got to do it!

The game… or excuse me… THE SHOW as Bryant stated has to STEP UP to the 21st century. This was the 56th All-Star game since it began more than a HALF CENTURY ago in 1951 except the players are now running up and down the court playing ballet with a ball and showing how pretty they are. How's that song go? Everything is beautiful in its own way?

The event is not taken seriously as a competition between two teams that want to win FOR SOMETHING. Yes I'm yelling!!!

In today's world with EARTH PEOPLE walking around on the moon what does East verses the West mean? I mean come on… EARTH PEOPLE have come a long way since 1951 but the NBA HASN'T when it comes to the All-Star game.

When the All-Star game started there were only 10 teams (later 8 in 1954) in the league and the West ended in Minneapolis, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana... that was as far west as the NBA went.

It was before the Milwaukee Bucks were created who then moved to St. Louis in 1955. That made the St. Louis Hawks the team that was as far as the NBA west was. They have since relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Changes? You want changes? The NBA now has 30 teams... COUNT THEM... 30 as in THIRTY!

The NBA has changed a lot EXCEPT THE ALL-STAR GAME. Lord knows the renowned lady that was depicted when former NBA coach Dick Motta said, "It (the game) ain't over till the Fat lady sings." Well that fat lady was Kate Smith and she is no longer is with us.

Now here's where the NBA as changed. As good as Smith and Frank Sinatra were as performers they would NOT be invited to sing at a 21st. Century NBA All-Star game if they were here with us today. In their place are Christina Aguliara, Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton. Now that's a change in keeping up with the times.

Since 1951 the EARTH PEOPLE have experienced jet airlines, size 45 records, 8 track tapes, cassette tapes, CD's, telephone answering machines, FAX machines, cell phones, color television, PERSONAL COMPUTERS, THE INTERNET…. It goes on and on and on.

There have been a lot of changes that the EARTH PEOPLE have made since 1951…. EXCEPT THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME!!!

The NBA has to reinvent the sorry affair of the All-Star game and put in place a real East vs. West competition where the International players play AGAINST the USA. Now that is a game that would be something to play for and truly East vs. West in today's times.

The west doesn't end at Minneapolis anymore. It's no secret that the East hates the West (USA) and wants to beat them. If you don't believe me then WATCH CNN.

NO… this is not about politics but it is about influence and a challenge, something meaningful to more people in more countries around the world and a larger TV audience. The International NBA players verses the USA NBA players would be a REAL ALL-STAR GAME. Remember… you heard it hear first.

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