The Greatest Pickup Game of All Time
The NBA All Star Game has recently been getting some heat and I find it hard to understand the problem. It is solely a fun event that showcases the talents of the season's most valuable players. However, I have been hearing people oppose the game because of it lacking in incentive which makes the players lack on defense, but the players are not playing for money, they are playing for pride.
The NBA All Star Game is something special. The notable events of the February 16-18 weekend consists of the Celebrity Game, Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and the actual NBA All Star Game.
Many opposing viewers suggests that this weekend just puts the valuable players at risk for becoming injured. A friend of mine told me that he didn’t like the NBA All Star game was because of the fan voting. He told me he thinks many great players get overlooked because majority of people only vote for names they recognize. I defend the All Star Game because of its value of reminding players of a time when they would play the game for fun. A game that did not revolve around contracts and championships, but just a game with a score, net, and ball.
Looking back at the play whenever Kevin Durant threw up the basketball to Russell Westbrook for an alley-oop in this past year's 2017 NBA All Star Game. Sports fans live for the drama of the game, many love to watch because it is their idea of reality TV. The Durant and Westbrook dynamic of whether there was any hard feelings after Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder and Westbrook to go play for the Golden State Warriors has consistently been a topic of conversation.
Leading up to the All Star Game, fans were tuning into the game, excited to see whether Westbrook and Durant would even play on the court at the same time. That one swift toss up pass suddenly silenced the world.
This year, Curry will be facing LeBron. Personally, I am on Team Curry because I know that defense during these games are usually about 50% effort and the game itself is about shooting and ball handling. LeBron’s team may have size advantage, but I am looking forward to the versatile shooting options Curry’s team will have on the court.
The All Star Game gives the fans the stage to witness both dynamic and drama on the court. An event more entertaining than any reality TV show. There's no underlying purpose of the All Star Weekend, besides the pure enjoyment to what the sport we all love by the players we love. That is why, this game is the greatest pickup game of all time. #TeamCurry
