NBA All-Star head coach Michael Malone has openly criticised the players in the contest and named it the "worst basketball game ever".
The game finished with Team Giannis (Antetokounmpo) defeating Team LeBron (James) 184-175, with very little defence being played. In recent years, players have used the All-Star contest as a chance to show off their abilities - whether it be taking long-range jumpshots or attempting dunks that they'd never do in a regular game.
While that has been entertaining at times, it has led to neither team playing defence and the scoreboard running up - a far cry from how the game was played throughout the 80's and 90's. In that era players would see the leagues best players go at each other in an high intensity game.
And Denver Nuggets head coach Malone did not mince his words when he was asked on what he thought of the game, as he coached Team LeBron.
Malone said: "It's an honour to be here. It's an honour to be a part of a great weekend, great players. But that is the worst basketball game ever played.
"I don't know if you can fix it. I give Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving -- those guys were like, competing. Joel was imploring some of the guys to play harder, to try to get some defense in. No one got hurt, they put on a show for the fans, but that is a tough game to sit through. I'm not gonna lie."
Those thoughts have been echoed by some fans over the last few years, who would like to see the players take it as a chance to truly go up against the other best stars in the league.
And ESPN reporter Stephen A Smith also criticised the players for their attitude towards the game.
Throughout the off-season, players usually meet up for a high intensity game in the summer, with a video leaking of the likes of LeBron, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving in attendance. Smith stated that he'd like to see the players put in as much effort in the All-Star game as they do behind closed doors.
Smith said: "I am not trying to say that you need to go all out as basketball players because you have the rest of the season to consider... What I am trying to say is that we do not need to see a basketball game taking place where you play harder in summer competition when you are working out than at an All-Star game.
"If you can go and play harder in the summer when they work out, then you should be able to play that hard in the All-Star game. There was no effort whatsoever. It reeks of arrogance and takes the fans for granted. I applaud Coach Malone for the flagrant lack of effort."
