NBA All-Star weekend wrapped up to, at best, mixed reviews.
While there were moments of fun—the three-point contest between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu jumps to mind—the All-Star festivities were mostly a dud, with many fans critical of the jarring lack of defense in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
Defense has not been a centerpiece of the All-Star Game in a generation—both teams have scored at least 140 points in every game since 2013—but this year’s East All-Stars breaking 200 apparently crossed the rubicon for some fans.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was especially frustrated with Sunday’s showing, and called for drastic change on Monday’s episode of First Take, going as far as to say the All-Star Game should be cancelled altogether.
“What transpired last night was an absolute travesty,” Smith said. “Nearly 400 points were scored. No defense, no effort whatsoever. This is the ultimate indictment against NBA stars who show up on NBA All-Star weekend—you play harder in the summer when you’re training.”
Stephen A. Smith says the NBA needs to do away with the All-Star Game.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 19, 2024
"What transpired last night was an absolute travesty...It's a flagrant lack of effort, and it's embarrassing." pic.twitter.com/JJsEc8OgFU
Smith said he understood players not wanting to risk injury by going all out, but stressed there had to be some amount of effort shown to make the event worth it.
“Nobody’s asking you to compete like you’re going up against the playoffs or even a regular season game,” Smith said. “But when you are working out in the summertime ... You see guys giving effort in the summer. That’s all I’m saying. To that degree. That is not hard. The fact that you would go out and flagrantly show such a lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball in any capacity is just a travesty.”
Chances are the NBA will look to find some middle ground between players giving zero effort and cancelling the All-Star Game completely, but if things keep going they way they seem to be going, it’s clear where Smith stands on the issue.
