Hill: If the NBA has an All-Star problem, at least Jaren Jackson Jr. didn’t add to it
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. defends during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)
Drew Hill
Drew Hill covers the Memphis Grizzlies and is a top-10 APSE winner. He has worked throughout the South writing about college athletics before landing in Memphis.
SAN FRANCISCO — Take a few steps through the mixed media zone during NBA All-Star Media Day, and you’ll probably hear one of three questions that were being hurled on repeat.
“What do you think of the new All-Star format?”
“Does the NBA have an All-Star Game problem?”
“In your opinion, how can the league make the game more competitive?”
One after another, the players — including the very best in the world — shared their thoughts.
Very few offered nuanced takes.
“I have no idea what’s going on,” Boston Celtics star said honestly when asked about the new mini-tournament format.
“I guess we’ll see (if it’s more competitive). “I don’t know.”
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suggested a USA vs. World format, with future All-Star games to be held internationally. It sounds like a logistical nightmare.
But it was Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that seemed to capture the attitude of the players perfectly.
“I would love to hoop — if we hoop — but I just love the game, and I want to play,” Gilgeous-Alexander said Saturday.
This was the MVP front-runner this season openly admitting he didn’t know if the All-Star Game would look like basketball.
But hold on a moment.
Shouldn’t perhaps the best player in the world have some role in deciding that?
“(To say I have an obligation to be competitive) is kind of hard,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m one guy out there.
“If you’re asking what my stance is, I would love to play a pickup game like we do in the summertime, for sure. But, again, I’m one guy out there. I’m not about to be the only one diving on loose balls.
“Yeah, to say I have an obligation is hard because I’m one of 24.”
So, if the NBA has the goal of recapturing a competitive spark, it’s going to need someone to go ahead and be first.
The league needs to ditch the groupthink for a trendsetter.
Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. deserves credit for at least trying to be that player on Sunday. It’s not just my opinion but one that was widespread.
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