NBA All-Star Game

[Dave Gray]

I was impressed with the game this year.  Still a disgusting lack of defense for 3 quarters, but down the stretch, the game was really good (short of Dwight Howard not trying).

It is the best of the all-star games, in my opinion.  Lots of cool plays.  It'd be really nice to have 4 quarters like we saw out of the last one.

The NFL needs to figure something out.  They just can't compete.

[Phishfan]

I was at the game. I usually don't watch the game but free tickets to such a hyped event were impossible to pass on. I also had tickets to the pre-game party a couple blocks from the arena. The city and the local establishments were really putting on a good event I think.

There were a couple things that I find a bit annoying.

1) The price of the tickets. Had I needed to pay for them there is no way I would ever attend. The starting price was $400 (my seats were $500 face value)
2) Some local establishments tried to put on that they were much more high class than they really were. For example, one place that was part of the block party I attended. We attempted to go back to after the game in order to let traffic disperse. When we showed up, we were told at the door there was a $50 cover. This place was nothing to brag about really and the entertainment they wanted to charge $50 for was nothing more than a DJ.

Also, for anyone local. The big fuss about businesses being blocked off by a fence was overblown by the media. Yes, they did have a fence outside the arena but that was to separate the people who did not have tickets because they had an outdoor stage with Lil Wayne performing. The sidewalk in front of those businesses was open and so were the businesses. In fact after the game, they opened gates in the fence for the crowd to actually access those bars easier.

I was really impressed by the entertainment involved (Lil Wayne, Nicky Minaj, Pitbull w/ Chris Brown & Ne-Yo) even though this isn't typically my favorite music genre. I also give props  to them for finding a class act singer for the national anthem (Mary J Blige). In all the event was a positive one but one that I would never pay for.

[el diablo]

I agree that the NFL needs to figure something out. But short of making the Pro Bowl a flag football game, its going to be tough. Football players in a contract year are at a greater risk, than NBA players with guaranteed contracts.

[Cathal]

The NFL can't make a game happen like the NBA just because it's far easier for the NBA to put a show on when everyone is messing around; you can't really do that in football.

[Dave Gray]

Yeah, I agree.  Then, why have it?  Don't just have an all-star game to have it, if it's not entertaining.  Do something else instead.  I think a modified combine/skills competition, flag football game would be fun.