When I was a kid, growing up watching basketball, the All Star weekend was awesome. I was pumped up for everything that was the All Star game, from the dunk contest to the three point shootout. Now in addition, when I was a kid, I had to hang on to see who won on the news at night, my friend video recorded it on the VCR at his grandma’s house, and we got it the next day and watched it.

Long time ago.

The names were names we recognized. They were players we paid attention to, they were our heroes, and they were actually stars in the game.

Who actually participates in the dunk contest anymore? Does anyone really care? Seriously? I remember back when “Air” Jordan, the “Human highlight Film” Dominique and Clyde “the Glide” were dependable contestants, and it was exciting to see who had the bragging rights after they delivered plentiful mind blowing jams.

Those days are no more.

Recent winners include Gerald Green, Fred Jones and Josh Smith. Just not the same is it?

This year’s mad jammers are DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, JaVale McGee and Blake Griffin, the only attributed name of the bunch.

The 3 point shootout (always my favorite) still pulls respectable names as a rule, with recent winners, Paul Pierce, Jason Kapono and Dirk Nowitzki over the last 5 seasons. The format is different than it was 15-20 years ago, but it still comes down to top quality shooting displays, which is a true art form, for those who really know the game.

From Larry Bird to Craig Hodges, to dangerous shooters Mark Price and Dale Ellis, they were all respected names in stroking the ball from behind the arc.

It appears, the three point shootout is still appreciated, more than the dunk contest, obviously from the names still participating in it.

With the 2011 shooters being Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce, Dorell Wright, James Jones(sleeper pick), Daniel Gibson and Ray Allen, my favorite to win it.

As I grew older, realizing the game is about popularity. Not about who really are the best players.

Yao Ming, 5 games played, 10 ppg and 5 rpg this year, was voted in as a starter for the Western conference by the fans. A joke, without a doubt, let’s be real, China is a pretty gigantic country, and he is going to get a boatload of votes from there. Did he deserve to be voted in as a starter? No, not even close. So, now I take it for what it is, a fans game. They vote for who they want to see play, and for who they like, not for who truly deserves to be there.

So let’s look at the starters for the East Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade, all well warranted, no complaints from me at all. The reserves are all solid, except I think that Brook Lopez and Raymond Felton should have gotten some deeper consideration.

The starters for the West being led by Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming (thankfully and correctly replaced by Kevin Love), Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. The reserve team here, I have issues with. Where are Monta Ellis, Al Jefferson, Eric Gordon, and LaMarcus Aldridge? All of whom deserved of being in the All Star game. How it shows the NBA is loaded with incredible talent.

Anyway you look at it, it’s still a good time. And is the best all star game of any of the 4 major sports, without a doubt. NFL’s Pro Bowl is more often than not very boring. MLB’s is stupid, come one, every team must have a team rep? Dumb!

I also don’t like giving participation medals in youth leagues. Sorry. At least you know with the NBA, you’re getting a show, lots of action, players giving us fancy dunks, you get some crazy plays, double oops, big blocks, deep 3 balls. I’ll be watching and looking forward to it on Friday night. Tony Karpinski of VegasTopDogs.
 

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