NBA All-Star Weekend Kicks Off With Less Than a Bang

I used to love the NBA's All Star Weekend. Oh, it still is a good show and a better party, but it just doesn't pop like it once did. I really don't know why.

Yes I do. Star power. The lack of star power.

Oh, there are stars sprinkled out there in a few events. We did have Dwight Howard defending his slam dunk championship (more on that later) and Tony Parker was in the Skills competition. And soon-to-be-superstars Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant were extremely impressive in everything they did this weekend. But it lacks that magic of having guys that transcend the sport participating in these events.

The Skills Competition is a neat idea, but it looks too much like practice drills. That, or a dog's obstacle course. However, it is the truest event that is held during the day.

The three point contest used to be that ... but it favors rhythm shooters who have outstanding mechanics and not those catch and shoot cats. You also need a hot hand to win that thing, which is why Jason Kapono's off night killed his chances.

As for the dunk contest, I will say that this was one of the more entertaining events in a while. I pretty much liked all the dunks. I also think Dwight Howard was robbed. He won that thing, but since he was born with height, he couldn't win.

And let me weigh in about LeBron James. He mentioned DURING THE DUNK CONTEST that he is thinking about getting back in next year. How big of you, Mr. King. One, can't you keep that under your hat until after the dunk contest is long over? You just overshadowed the guys who actually showed up to the event. Not just that, you underminded the winner's victory by basically saying, "yeah, well that's because I wasn't there."

Don't get me wrong; I hope LBJ comes through on his little idea. We need more dunk contests with the NBA's top dunkers. Maybe a guy like Vince Carter could come back? Or Andre Iguodala?

IF I WERE COMMISH: Changing the NBA All Star Game

For years, I've taken some time to just throw out ideas of various changes in sports if I was the Ultimate Commissioner Of All Sport!

Today, I'm looking at the NBA All Star Game.

When I was a kid, I loved all the All Star games. I loved seeing Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Larry Bird on the same squad. I loved the pick-up style the game took. I even loved the Slam Dunk contest and all those festivities.

Now it is more about the party than the game. That's fine and all, but I want my game back!

MAKE IT A PICK-UP GAME: I am cool with having the two best players in the league (that decision is made by David Stern) standing at half court with the next 22 best players waiting to see who gets picked. Then watch, say, Kobe and LeBron take turns picking players for their team.

Let the fans vote for six guys ... regardless of conference ... that they definitely want in the game. Then have the coaches vote for the other 16 players.

I can see it now. Kobe uses his first pick on D-Wade. Then LeBron takes Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Kobe then takes Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki. And so on.

There Really Aren't Many NBA All-Star Snubs

For the most part, the NBA coaches got it right. In voting for the reserves for each conference's All-Star team, I really cannot find too much of a problem with the votes.

The Eastern All Stars are Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Danny Granger, Chris Bosh, Devin Harris, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce.

Ray Allen is a tough one and probably more deserving of a spot than either Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce. I don't think that Rajon Rondo is such a gross omission. He's a fine player and all of that but he isn't one of the 12 best players in the Eastern Conference.

I'm also not understanding why people are thinking Mo Williams got snubbed.

There is a bit of difference in the West. Their team features Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Brandon Roy, Chauncey Billups and David West.

West is an All-Star type player and all, but Al Jefferson deserved his spot. I know that there is this whole thing about "rewarding winning teams" but there is talent all over this league and a one man show doesn't equate to winning. After all, Danny Granger made it on the East side.

I'm just glad that the coaches didn't buckle and vote Steve Nash in the game since it's in Phoenix.