Why the NBA All Star Game Has Decreased in Prominence

The National Basketball Association has traditionally held the NBA All-Star Weekend every February, with the host city changing each year. This big-ticket event typically includes the Three-Point Shootout, Slam-Dunk Contest, All Star Game, celebrity appearances, other skills contests, and interactive opportunities for the fans lucky enough to make the trip in person.

While the All Star Game itself has long held up as a highlighted showcase of the league's top superstar talents, its popularity has waned, as televisions ratings for the event have dropped and overall interest seems to have vanished from a peak excitement. Upon closer study, there are a few reasons for the NBA All-Star Game losing fans.

Internet Replay

Perhaps the most significant factor in the popularity decline of the All Star contest lies in the fact that, while it used to be a television event that let fans see stars play that they usually never got to witness on the court, now virtually anyone can watch NBA highlights every night, follow storylines on NBA.com, check out clips on YouTube, and practically see entire games for free if they hunt long enough. Thus, the incentive is lost: Why should I go to the All-Star Game, or even sit through commercials on television, when I can get the best parts on the internet with expert commentary intact?

No Storybook Headlines

There have been a few pivotal points in All Star history: When Magic Johnson was voted into the Game even after his retirement, when Shaquille O'Neal controversially endured double-teaming in the exhibition in his rookie season, and other moments shown in the alternate events, such as Julius "Dr. J" Erving dunking from the free-throw line in the Slam Dunk Contest. But, nowadays, there are fewer truly innovative dunks left, the three-point contest has arguably grown stale, and even the likes of Kobe and Lebron do not electrify quite like Michael Jordan did.

Overall Paradigm Shift

The decline of the All Star Game can be seen as being corollary to the decline of NBA popularity in general. Following Jordan's retirement, some boring Pistons and Spurs championships, the Melee on Motown, and other events, there was a period in the late 1990's and early 2000's that the league was truly in trouble.

The good news is that a new crop of superstars has emerged, the Lakers/Celtics rivalry seems to have been reinvigorated, the Slam Dunk contest is enjoying renewed creativity, and perhaps the All Star Game is achieving renewed relevance as well.