Is it time to do away with All-Star games?

[outofplace]

A secondary reason, IMO, is that football, and hockey to a lesser degree, relies on a lot of intricate teamwork to make plays and that's tough to do when you have players who have only practiced together for a few days at most.
With baseball, the way the game is played, the player can be a individual performer and have the stage while still being for the team. In the NBA, the ASG is essentially a high-profile playground game, which is not a bad thing at all.
And I agree with UPChip's view that they're all now just the main event of a big convention/celebration. Also, in the case of baseball, basketball and hockey, it provides a welcome break in the middle of the season.

That is a good point about football, which is so reliant on teamwork. I'm not sure it is that much of an issue with hockey. The game can get a little sloppy and they don't play much defense, but the individual stars can really make it fun.

I remember loving watching Mario Lemieux play in a game when the other team wasn't particularly interested in hitting or playing defense.

 

[playthrough]

The worst to me is MLB because I'm old enough to remember when it was important, or at the very least, unique. Being a kid in an NL city, it was magical to see those AL players and uniforms. Yes, interleague play and TV killed that off, but the game itself didn't have to fall off a cliff. Now it's just a shuffle to get everyone one inning or one at-bat.

 

[DanOregon]

I wouldn't mind it if the NBA all star game morphed into a 3 on 3 tournament 8 teams of 3 or 4 players each.

 

[Sea Bass]

That is a good point about football, which is so reliant on teamwork. I'm not sure it is that much of an issue with hockey. The game can get a little sloppy and they don't play much defense, but the individual stars can really make it fun.

I remember loving watching Mario Lemieux play in a game when the other team wasn't particularly interested in hitting or playing defense.

For an elite professional athlete, being a goalie in the NHL All-Star Game has got to be the worst possible spot to be thrust into.

 

[swingline]

I can't remember the last time I watched any all-star game in any of the four leagues. Probably baseball, but I'm just as likely to watch a Law & Order rerun as to bother with that game.

 

[playthrough]

I wouldn't mind it if the NBA all star game morphed into a 3 on 3 tournament 8 teams of 3 or 4 players each.

You could have told me that already happened and I wouldn't have known.

 

[MTM]

I enjoy the NBA skills competition more than the game, but I can't watch it live. Record it and forward past the filler.

 

[Cosmo]

Speaking of all star games, I just hope they keep Kuznetsov away from the slopes in Vegas this weekend ...

 

[CD Boogie]

Wilbon says that NBA All Star week is Black Thanksgiving.

OK, that's funny.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

When I was 16 my dad and I got tickets to the All Star Game, and it was a great one
Reggie hit the light tower, one of six homers in the game, and the starting NL outfield was Aaron, Mays and Clemente
I didn't go in 2005 but my friends who did were more excited by the home run derby the night before (Bobby Abreu won)

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Only baseball All-Star game I saw was at Fenway in 1999. Pedro struck out five guys in two innings, but the biggest deal was Ted Williams' last real public appearance. Pretty cool to see the then-current stars flock to an all-time All-Star. The other thing I remember was that many of the players were convinced Fenway was doomed and the National Leaguers in particular thought it might be the last/only time they played there. One of 'em actually took some sod as a souvenir.

 

[swingline]

It was at that game that Williams and McGwire talked about smelling burning wood when they'd foul off a ball. That's all I gots.