“Celebrity Game Was More Competitive Than the Actual Game”: Stephen A. Smith Urges the NBA to Do Away With All-Star Weekend

The NBA All-Star Weekend concluded with a ridiculous 211-186 point game between the East and the West. This year’s edition of the all-star game was among the highest-scoring matchups ever in the history of the league. Many critics and media heavily scrutinized the players for not giving enough of a defensive effort. However, that has always been the argument against the all-star game.

In the recent game, three players from the East – Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum – had over 30-point games. On the other hand, in West, Karl Anthony Towns had a monster 50-point game but still missed out on the MVP, which was presented to Lillard. Stephen A. Smith is calling out the superstar’s lack of defense in his usual dramatic fashion.

Stephen A Smith obliterates the NBA All-Star Game

Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe were both coaches in the celebrity game this weekend. That’s why Smith said the “celebrity Game was more competitive than the actual game.” On ESPN’s First Take, Smith said, “I’m of this mindset right now; they need to do away with All-Star Weekend, just get rid of it.”

He further added, “The three-point shooting contest, I’m totally good with. Not just Steph Curry and Ionescu, who were fabulous, but the overall three-point shooting contest never cheats us, never disappoints us. They go out there, they shoot, trying to make shots. There’s nothing wrong with the three-point. I’m talking about the skills competition; I’m talking about the slam dunk competition, and I’m talking about the All-Star game.”

Stephen A. concluded, “Ladies and gentlemen, what transpired last night was an absolute travesty. Nearly 400 points were scored, no defense, no effort whatsoever. This is the ultimate indictment against the NBA stars who show up on NBA All-Star Weekend. You play harder in the summer league when you’re training; that’s all anybody’s asking.”

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To some extent, Stephen A. has a point. The same allegation maligned previous all-star games. A lack of effort by the superstars does take away the excitement of the game. So, if the All Star game isn’t competitive, how is it any better than even the Summer league? What are your thoughts on Smith’s opinion?

Let us know in the comments below.

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